Mumbai’s cinematic landscape welcomed Anubhav Sinha’s hard-hitting film ‘Assi’ on February 20, diving deep into the grim realities of sexual harassment faced by women across India. Despite a modest box office start, the movie has captured hearts, earning rave reviews from none other than legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar.
Akhtar, known for his sharp social commentary, lauded ‘Assi’ for its unflinching portrayal of societal prejudices and the emotional turmoil of victims. ‘This is a story that touches the emotional core while piercing the heart,’ he posted, highlighting how the film masterfully blends courtroom intensity with raw human struggles. Taapsee Pannu delivers a powerhouse performance, bringing nuance to the victim’s harrowing journey through legal battles and public scrutiny.
The film’s visual storytelling has also impressed culinary star Ranveer Brar, a judge on MasterChef, who called it ‘visually robust and thought-provoking.’ Released amid high expectations for Sinha’s realistic style, ‘Assi’ opened to 1 crore on day one, adding 3.20 crores over the next two days for a first-week haul of 4.20 crores. Total collections stand at 6.30 crores against a 30-crore budget.
Experts point to lackluster promotion and absence of star power as reasons for the underwhelming numbers. Yet, word-of-mouth praise suggests ‘Assi’ could gain traction, proving that meaningful cinema resonates beyond commercial success. As debates on women’s safety rage on, this film stands as a poignant reminder of truths too often ignored.