“Akelli” Review: Nushrratt’s performance is why you should watch the film.

Akelli, directed by Pranay Meshram, takes a serious subject, juggles it around, and nds up creating some scenarios that strain the believability factor.

A young, vulnerable girl is caught on a road with explosives strapped to her chest. Her mother’s anguished cries fill the air as experts rush to defuse the danger. Suddenly, a powerful explosion shatters the scene, enveloping everything in smoke and flames. This intense moment signals that Akelli, featuring Nushrrat Bharuccha, is an experience that will stay with you.

Taking inspiration from a true story of a woman from the Middle East, this film weaves a tale of resilience, determination, and the harsh realities women endure at the hands of groups like ISIS. Meshram’s direction spares no detail in depicting violence and cruelty, aiming to shock and create a lasting impression. However, despite its impact, Akelli occasionally struggles to seem entirely believable.

The film starts in a war-torn zone in Iraq, where Jyoti (played by Nushrratt) finds herself trapped. Through flashbacks, we learn about her life in Punjab, living with her mother and niece, and her desperate need to earn money to help her family’s debts. Driven by desperation, she falls for the promises of a job broker (Rajesh Jais) and takes a job as a factory supervisor in Mosul, Iraq.

In this foreign land, Jyoti’s co-worker turned friend, Rafiq (played by Nishant Dahiya), reveals the grim reality of ISIS infiltrating the factory and abducting women. Jyoti’s fate takes a horrifying turn when she ends up in the home of ISIS leader Asad (Tsahi Halevi), where she encounters other victims trapped in abuse. Her repeated but often unsuccessful attempts to escape and free others form the heart of the story, raising the question: Can she truly break free?

Throughout the film, the pace is consistent, avoiding unnecessary diversions. While the dialogue may lack impact at times, the screenplay occasionally takes shortcuts. Some events may push the boundaries of believability, asking viewers to accept situations that might be hard to believe. Jyoti’s repeated escapes from dangerous situations, in the face of heavily guarded dungeons, test how much you can believe. Written collaboratively by Meshram, Gunjan Saxena, and Ayush Tiwari, the story’s lack of logic can be hard to overlook. Still, the narrative keeps you engaged, even if you question how plausible it is.

At its core, Nushrratt’s performance stands out. Stepping away from her usual on-screen persona, she fully embraces her character’s complexities, evident in every scene. Nushrratt’s portrayal oozes confidence as she navigates the demands of this physically challenging role. One scene, where she stifles her screams in an aircraft, is particularly powerful, solidifying this as a standout performance.

In his Bollywood debut, Tsahi Halevi, known for his role in Fauda, delivers a performance that invokes both disgust and intrigue. With a penchant for cruelty and a disturbing affinity for restraints, his character’s brutality is truly hate-worthy. A scene where he serenades with the Arabic melody “Wayak” just before assaulting Jyoti remains haunting. Meanwhile, Nishant Dahiya’s brief yet charming presence leaves an impact, despite limited screen time.

Akelli immerses you, leaving little room to catch your breath—both metaphorically and literally. It’s a challenging watch, not suited for those easily unsettled. If compelled, give it a shot, primarily for Nushrratt’s outstanding acting.