Assi’ Sparks Conversations on Justice and Society: Taapsee and Anubhav Sinha Open Up

The courtroom drama film Assi, starring Taapsee Pannu, was released in theatres on February 20. Since its release, the crime courtroom drama has been receiving an excellent response from both audiences and critics. Through this film, Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha have once again attempted to hold a mirror to society. In a recent interview, both spoke openly about the film’s theme, their experiences, and its underlying message. Here’s what they had to say.

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What attracted you to the subject of Assi, and what important issue does it address?

Taapsee: I believe Assi begins where Pink ended. The subject of the film is its biggest attraction. It is not just entertainment, but a film that speaks about an important issue. As an actor, a strong script and a challenging role excite me. The emotion behind this film is simple — when you fight, you win. You just have to begin the fight.

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Why did you decide to present this story as a film, and why did you feel it deserved a theatrical release?

Anubhav Sinha: Gaurav Solanki and I wrote the script together, and we felt that this subject needed to be made into a film. It addresses a serious social issue while remaining engaging. We believe that such films should not merely narrate a story but inspire audiences to think and confront uncomfortable realities. When you raise an issue in a film, you must justify it, because viewers spend their time and money to watch it in theatres.

As a female lead, how challenging was this role for you?

Taapsee: In this film, I am not playing the victim; instead, I am part of the story from a different perspective. That was the biggest challenge for me. Portraying the victim and conveying those emotions might have been relatively easier. But this time, I am raising my voice as the lawyer representing the victim, which required a different emotional approach.

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Is balancing message and entertainment the biggest challenge in such films?

Anubhav Sinha: The challenge was to create a film that is engaging and entertaining while also fulfilling its social responsibility. It is an investigative thriller and a courtroom drama that should grip the audience quickly, without allowing its impact to get normalized.

Do stories like Assi make audiences uncomfortable while also forcing them to think?

Taapsee: Discomfort is necessary because it pushes you to confront the issue. Only when you look at a problem directly and accept it can change truly happen.

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Has working on this film changed your perspective in any way?

Anubhav Sinha: Subjects like these always make you reflect deeply. The sensitivity was already there, but every time you work on such themes, your understanding becomes deeper. As a woman, I can personally relate to the story and understand the sensitivity of the issue.

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