Taapsee’s bold court drama Assi is raising questions about its theatrical prospects. Taapsee Pannu returns with yet another issue-driven film titled Assi, which literally means 80.
The film is directed by Anubhav Sinha and strongly echoes the tone of Taapsee’s earlier films Mulk and Pink. Viewers can expect elements of courtroom drama, though the narrative goes beyond just legal proceedings.
The trailer of Assi is set to be attached to the theatrical prints of Border 2, one of the most anticipated films of the year. This move is expected to give the film wide visibility.
Apart from Taapsee, the film features Kani Kusruti, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Revathy, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Supriya Pathak Kapur, and Naseeruddin Shah.
As shown in the trailer, the film revolves around a woman played by Kani who survives a gang rape. Her legal battle is taken up by Taapsee Pannu, with several disturbing and emotionally charged moments shown.
For those unaware, this marks the third collaboration between Taapsee and Anubhav Sinha after Mulk and Thappar. Their earlier films were widely discussed for their social themes.
However, the main concern lies in the film’s theatrical release strategy. Before COVID-19, audiences were more receptive to such hard-hitting, niche dramas.
With Assi likely opting for a theatre release, it remains to be seen whether today’s audience will embrace it. From a safety perspective, a direct digital release may have been a more secure choice for the makers.
