ASSI, a courtroom drama directed by Anubhav Sinha and starring Taapsee Pannu, has become one of the most urgent and thought-provoking films of the year precisely because it refuses to soften its lens on the brutal reality of sexual violence against women. Inspired by the chilling fact that roughly 80 rape cases are reported in India each day, a figure the director noted equates to an incident every 20 minutes. As Taapsee’s character battles for justice for a survivor played by Kani Kusruti, the narrative exposes not just an isolated act of brutality, but also the deeper societal complicity that allows such violence to persist.
The film makes you uncomfortable with its tough questions, but is not half as disturbing as daily news, a sentiment many viewers echo, as ASSI holds up a mirror to everyday headlines that numbly pass by. What makes the film’s impact particularly noteworthy is how it is resonating across a broad spectrum of viewers, with around 40 % of the audience in theaters being women, underscoring the collective need to confront issues that affect half of society intimately. This isn’t escapist entertainment; it’s a cinematic shout that insists on conversation, reflection and accountability.
As ASSI continues to garner acclaim and support from the industry, one notable review came from veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar. Speaking about the film, Akhtar shared, “Some pictures touch your heart. And some films operate on an intellectual level, they engage your mind. But very few films manage to touch both your heart and your mind at the same time. I believe Assi is one such film. On one level, it is a deeply emotional story that will resonate with ordinary people. But on another level, it leaves behind some very serious questions. It does not hand out easy answers. Instead, it places those questions before society.”
Akhtar, recognized for his honest opinions, praised the film and added, “Anyone who thinks deeply, who pays attention to what is happening around us, will walk away from this film reflecting on it. It has been narrated in a very graceful and compelling manner. And ultimately, the film leaves you with both answers and questions.”
By compelling audiences to grapple with uncomfortable truths about justice, gender norms and institutional apathy, ASSI has triggered sustained debate far beyond box office numbers. Its very existence, in a time when socially relevant films struggle for screen space and attention, challenges us to ask why brutal realities offscreen are met with so little sustained outrage, and why cinema must continue to play a role in unsettling complacency.
Gulshan Kumar and T-Series present ASSI, a Benaras Media Works production, directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anubhav Sinha.
The film is now successfully running in theatres worldwide.
