Taapsee Pannu’s latest release, Assi, has opened to strong critical acclaim but is witnessing a slowdown at the box office during the weekdays. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the hard-hitting courtroom drama sheds light on the alarming rise in sexual violence against women and the systemic hurdles survivors face while seeking justice.
According to trade estimates reported by Sacnilk, Assi collected approximately ₹70 lakh on its fifth day in theatres. The figure mirrors its earnings from the previous day, indicating no weekday growth. The film began its theatrical run with an opening collection of ₹1 crore. Over the weekend, it showed positive momentum, earning ₹1.6 crore on Saturday and repeating the same figure on Sunday. With weekday collections stabilising, the film’s total box office tally currently stands at ₹5.6 crore.
While the numbers reflect a modest commercial performance so far, Assi has generated considerable conversation for its subject matter and performances. The film marks the third collaboration between Taapsee Pannu and Anubhav Sinha, following their critically appreciated projects Mulk (2018) and Thappad (2020). Both earlier films were praised for tackling socially relevant themes, and Assi continues that trajectory with a focus on gender-based violence and legal accountability.
In Assi, Taapsee plays a determined lawyer who takes on the case of a young rape survivor, portrayed by Kani Kusruti. The narrative follows a Delhi woman’s fight for justice after enduring a brutal sexual assault. Rather than centering solely on the crime itself, the film delves into the exhausting and often retraumatising process that unfolds within police stations and courtrooms. It highlights the institutional challenges, societal stigma and emotional toll that survivors frequently confront.
The film features a powerful ensemble cast that includes Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak and Seema Pahwa. Their collective performances add depth to the narrative, portraying various facets of the legal system and the social ecosystem surrounding such cases. The film is produced by T-Series along with Sinha.
The title Assi, which translates to “80” in Hindi, carries a stark and sobering significance. According to Sinha, the number represents the average count of rape cases reported daily in India. However, he has emphasized that the statistic likely reflects only a fraction of the actual incidents, as many cases go unreported.
In an interview with PTI, the director explained the thought behind the title. “This is the number of cases that are reported every day. There is no count of those that are hidden on a daily basis. This number in itself was so shocking when we calculated it because every 18 to 20 minutes, something like this takes place. By the time you and I finish talking about it, a woman would have already been exploited,” he said.
Through Assi, Sinha attempts to transform a disturbing statistic into a human story — one that compels viewers to confront uncomfortable realities. The film does not rely on sensationalism but instead underscores the urgency of systemic reform and empathy.
Despite its modest box office trajectory during the weekdays, Assi appears to be resonating with audiences seeking meaningful cinema. As word-of-mouth continues to build, the coming days will determine whether the film can sustain momentum commercially while continuing to spark vital conversations about justice and accountability.