Assi Review: Hard-Hitting, Poignant, Relevant, and Raising Many Urgent Questions

BY SHANTISWAROOP TRIPATHI

• Rating: 4 stars
• Producers: T-Series and Anubhav Sinha
• Writers: Anubhav Sinha and Gaurav Solanki
• Director: Anubhav Sinha
• Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Kani Kusruti, Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, Seema Pahwa, Master Advik Jaiswal, Vipul Gupta, Sahil Sethi, Abhishek Kaushal, Tejendra Singh, Abhishant Rana, and others
• Runtime: 2 hours 13 minutes
• Release Date: February 20

It is a shocking reality that in India, every twenty minutes, a girl or woman is raped. These crimes span all ages, castes, religions, and classes. While some cases are buried in police files, others force victims into marriage with their attackers due to societal pressure. Yet some women remain entangled in the exhausting legal system, humiliated by the pointless questioning from lawyers in court.

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On this extremely sensitive and necessary subject, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha presents Assi, releasing nationwide on February 20. The film’s tagline—“Eighty Every Day”—underscores its brutal reality. In one courtroom scene, rape survivor lawyer Ravi tells the judge:
"Ma’am, on the day of this crime, eighty rape complaints were filed across the country, of which trials for seventy-six cases never even began."

This dialogue highlights not only the severity of crimes against women but also exposes systemic failures. The film spares no detail in portraying patriarchal mindsets, the defense of sons, and the pain and trauma of survivors.

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Storyline

The film opens with a half-naked, bloodied woman lying on railway tracks, begging for water. A passerby helps her to the hospital. She is revealed to be Parima (Kani Kusruti), a Malayali schoolteacher with a happy family, including her ten-year-old son Dhruv (Advik Jaiswal) and loving husband Vinay (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub).

After a friend’s send-off party, Parima is abducted outside a metro station by five men, brutally gang-raped in a moving car, and left for dead on railway tracks. She is rescued by a stranger, and the police initially arrest four of the accused. Vinay’s friend Kartik (Kumud Mishra) connects the case to lawyer Ravi (Taapsee Pannu).

Meanwhile, the accused’s father, Deeparaj (Manoj Pahwa), manipulates evidence to protect his son. Kartik, struggling with trauma from his wife’s death, becomes the “Umbrella Man,” taking the law into his own hands. His vigilante actions go viral on social media, sparking the “Chhatri Gang” trend. While Ravi questions the morality of vigilante justice, the battle in court continues. The audience is left to wonder: which path will lead Parima to justice?

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Review

Anubhav Sinha, known for socially hard-hitting films like Mulk, Article 15, Thappad, Anek, and Bheed, has crafted a story in Assi that goes beyond courtroom drama. The film examines social media, the education system, patriarchal mindsets, and societal insensitivity while also highlighting factors that distract from heinous crimes like rape.

The film constantly reminds viewers of the ongoing national crisis. Every twenty minutes, a slate appears on screen, signaling that while the audience is watching the film, ten new cases are being filed across the country. Parima’s young son Dhruv asks his father, “Why did they do this to mom?”—a question that leaves both father and audience speechless.

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However, the film has certain flaws. Kartik’s (Kumud Mishra) character is underdeveloped, and the role of Vasu (Naseeruddin Shah) seems unnecessary, contributing little to the story. One wonders if some actors were in the film just for remuneration rather than creative reasons.

Performances

Taapsee Pannu delivers a powerhouse performance as lawyer Ravi, portraying anger, helplessness, and determination with conviction. Kani Kusruti brings Parima’s trauma and pain to life with a subtlety that deeply affects viewers. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub portrays Vinay’s anguish and social pressure convincingly. Young Advik Jaiswal embodies the innocence and confusion of a child witnessing injustice.

Manoj Pahwa effectively represents patriarchal mindset and fatherly concern, while Seema Pahwa’s brief but poignant appearance leaves an impact. Revathi shines as the judge, though Kumud Mishra, Naseeruddin Shah, and Supriya Pathak’s talents feel underutilized.

In conclusion, Assi is a hard-hitting, socially relevant film that forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about crime, justice, and societal indifference. Despite minor shortcomings in character development, it stands as a powerful, thought-provoking cinematic experience.

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