Welcome, dear readers, to the intriguing realm of “Akelli,” where a resilient young woman from India becomes enmeshed in the tumultuous landscape of war-ravaged Iraq. Brace yourselves, for this intrepid soul not only eliminates a high-ranking ISIS commander but also inflicts significant harm upon another prominent leader, all before orchestrating a daring escape from the clutches of this infamous organization. On the surface, the premise holds the promise of an enthralling and engaging narrative; however, the execution falls somewhat short, resulting in a thriller that manages to seize the audience’s attention only in sporadic instances.

The narrative orbits around Jyoti (portrayed by Nushrratt Bharuccha), a tenacious individual employed within the airline industry. Juggling her familial responsibilities alongside her career, she faces a daunting setback when circumstances lead to the loss of her job. This blow resonates deeply as she is the primary breadwinner for her family. Opportunely, a supervisory position at a garment manufacturing company in Iraq arises, and she embarks on a bold journey to this foreign land. Fate, however, has more challenges in store for Jyoti as a group of militants abducts non-Sunni employees from the company, including Jyoti herself. This ordeal subjects her, along with her compatriots, to both physical and psychological torment. Nonetheless, armed with unwavering determination, Jyoti resolves to regain her freedom and return to her homeland. The film follows her path as she navigates the trials of survival and devises her escape strategy.

Commencing on a note of palpable tension, the film establishes an initial atmosphere of suspense that whets the viewer’s appetite for an edge-of-the-seat narrative. Regrettably, this initial excitement experiences a gradual decline, with the film adopting an occasionally formulaic and conveniently contrived script. While essential elements of grit, suspense, and tension are present within “Akelli,” their full potential remains untapped, rendering the narrative somewhat underwhelming.

Certain aspects of the screenplay exhibit inconsistencies. For instance, Tsahi Halevi, who assumes the role of the ISIS supreme commander, sustains a mortal wound in a particular sequence, only to appear unscathed and robust in the subsequent airport scene. While the film commences dramatically, evoking intrigue with a gripping scene set on a Mosul street featuring a girl tethered to explosives, the momentum of such scenes unfortunately fails to permeate the entirety of the film.

The movie provides Nushrratt Bharuccha a platform to showcase her acting prowess, and although she does not wholly exploit this opportunity, her performance remains characterized by sincerity and authenticity. Tsahi Halevi, known for his role in the Israeli series “Fauda,” delivers a commendable portrayal of Assad, exuding a menacing aura. Nevertheless, a more well-defined character development approach from the film’s writer would have undoubtedly been advantageous. Nishant Dahiya, essaying the role of Rafeeq, manages to leave a lasting impression despite his limited screen time.

Debutant director Pranay Meshram’s aspirations are undoubtedly honorable; however, the film’s overall impact is weakened by the shortcomings of the screenplay.