Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha have built a creative partnership that brings together bold storytelling and their dedication to urgent social issues. Their journey, from Thappad (2020) to Assi (2026), shows how Pannu developed as an artist while they worked together on stories that challenge traditional beliefs.

The movie Thappad (2020) presents Pannu in her role as Amrita, a woman who decides to end her marriage after her husband hits her once, which results in national debates about domestic violence and the gender norms of Indian society. The film rejected the trivialization of abuse, insisting that “just one slap” is never justified. The critics recognised that Thappad offered an authentic examination of human dignity and personal power, which demonstrated how people cope with social pressure. The movie established Pannu and Sinha as dedicated supporters of essential cinematic works.

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Assi, which was released on February 20 2026, shows Pannu playing Advocate Raavi, who defends a gang-rape survivor portrayed by Kani Kusruti. The film derives its title from a disturbing statistic about sexual assault cases in India, which it uses to tell the story of India’s ongoing battle against gender-based violence. The movie Assi achieved moderate box-office results during its opening week, earning approximately ₹6.8 crore. The movie shows an authentic depiction to its audience through its visual elements and through its actors, who demonstrate how public anger creates a gap between actual survivor treatment and existing justice mechanisms.

While Taapsee Pannu reflects on her journey. We do recommend watching Assi in the theatres. It is an important film.