Taapsee Pannu’s latest courtroom drama Assi has opened to a modest response at the box office. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the film hit theatres this Friday but registered a relatively slow start on its first day.

According to trade website Sacnilk, Assi collected approximately ₹0.95 crore net in India on Day 1, as per early estimates. The opening fell short of expectations and did not surpass the debut of Haq, the courtroom drama led by Yami Gautam, which had released in November 2025 with a stronger ₹1.75 crore opening. Haq eventually went on to record a lifetime domestic collection of ₹19.86 crore, setting a higher benchmark within the same genre.

The occupancy figures for Assi further reflected its muted start. Morning shows recorded a low 3.88% occupancy, which saw a slight uptick to 7.24% in the afternoon. Evening shows registered 6.92%, indicating limited growth throughout the day. Collections remained subdued across most major circuits, suggesting that the film struggled to generate significant footfalls on its opening Friday. However, Chennai emerged as a relatively stronger market, with occupancy nearing 20%, offering a small but encouraging sign for the makers.

The film has garnered mixed reactions from both critics and audiences. With a sensitive and socially relevant subject at its core, Assi now relies heavily on word-of-mouth appreciation and weekend growth to build momentum. Courtroom dramas often depend on audience discussions and critical endorsements to draw viewers beyond their initial core audience. The coming days will therefore be crucial in determining whether the film can witness an upward trend over Saturday and Sunday.

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Anubhav Sinha under the banners of Benaras Mediaworks and T-Series Films, Assi features a strong supporting cast including Kani Kusruti, Revathi and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles. The film also marks the third collaboration between Taapsee and Anubhav Sinha after their earlier projects, Thappad and Mulk, both of which were noted for tackling socially charged themes.

The title Assi, which translates to “80,” carries significant weight in the context of the film’s subject. It refers to the reported average number of rape cases filed daily in India, underscoring the alarming frequency of such crimes. The narrative aims to spark conversation around accountability, justice and societal introspection rather than merely placing blame on institutions.

Speaking to Press Trust of India, Anubhav Sinha elaborated on the significance of the number. He highlighted that the figure represents only reported cases, with many incidents going unrecorded. According to the filmmaker, the statistic becomes even more unsettling when broken down into time intervals — suggesting that such crimes occur every 18 to 20 minutes. He remarked that by the time a conversation about the issue concludes, another crime may already have taken place, illustrating the gravity of the situation.

Sinha further shared that the film was born out of a period of personal “antardwand,” or inner conflict. He questioned whether the problem could simply be attributed to the police or judiciary, or whether society as a whole needed to examine its own role. While it is easy to assign blame externally, he noted, it is far more difficult to hold oneself accountable. This introspection shaped the screenplay and the emotional core of Assi.

For Taapsee Pannu, the film adds to her repertoire of content-driven cinema. She was last seen in the 2024 releases Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba and Khel Khel Mein. Known for taking on layered and socially relevant roles, she once again steps into a narrative that seeks to provoke thought and dialogue.

With a modest opening behind it, Assi now looks toward the weekend to determine whether audience engagement and discussions around its theme can translate into stronger box office numbers.

The romantic drama Do Deewane Sheher Mein has begun its theatrical run with a modest yet slightly better-than-anticipated opening at the box office. Headlined by Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur, the film earned approximately Rs 1.25 crore on its first day, according to early trade estimates.

Prior to release, industry projections had suggested a Day 1 collection in the range of Rs 0.50 crore to Rs 1.50 crore, with most predictions centering around the Rs 1 crore mark. In that context, the film’s opening can be seen as a mildly encouraging start. While not a blockbuster debut, the numbers indicate stable initial interest, particularly among urban audiences.

Advance bookings offered an early glimpse into audience curiosity. The film reportedly sold over 10,000 tickets on BookMyShow before its release, reflecting cautious but visible traction among younger viewers. Given the genre’s reliance on word-of-mouth, trade analysts believe that positive audience feedback over the weekend will play a crucial role in determining whether the film can build momentum and sustain its theatrical run.

Adding to the opening-day dynamics was its box office clash with Assi, starring Taapsee Pannu. While the two films cater to different sensibilities — one being a romance-driven narrative and the other rooted in courtroom drama — their simultaneous release created an interesting competitive scenario. Despite the clash, Do Deewane Sheher Mein managed to carve out its space, suggesting that audiences are open to varied storytelling options.

Backed by Zee Studios and Bhansali Productions, the film follows the emotional journey of Shashank and Roshni as they navigate love, ambition and self-discovery in a bustling metropolitan setting. The narrative blends romance with introspection, exploring how two individuals confront personal doubts, evolving dreams and the vulnerability that accompanies unexpected intimacy. Its slice-of-life approach and vibrant city backdrop have particularly resonated with younger moviegoers drawn to contemporary love stories.

Though the opening figures remain moderate, industry observers maintain that the weekend collections will ultimately determine the film’s box office trajectory. Romantic dramas often depend on strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings, factors that could potentially help the film establish a stable run if audience reactions remain positive.

For Siddhant Chaturvedi, the film marks another step in a steadily evolving career. The actor first gained widespread recognition with his breakout performance in Gully Boy, which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, he has worked across genres, appearing in projects such as Bunty Aur Babli 2, Phone Bhoot, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Dhadak 2. Over time, he has carved a niche for himself in Hindi cinema by choosing roles that reflect both youthful energy and emotional depth.

In a recent interview with ETV Bharat, the actor candidly spoke about the insecurities he faced while growing up. Chaturvedi revealed that as a child, he was often teased for his curly hair, small eyes and limited fluency in English. Classmates mockingly called him “Maggi noodles” because of his hair and sometimes used insensitive remarks about his appearance and background. Speaking Bhojpuri at home also became a source of ridicule, which deeply affected his self-confidence.

He admitted that these experiences made him withdrawn and hesitant to express himself. Even when he knew the correct answers in class, he refrained from raising his hand. He avoided confronting unfair treatment and struggled with self-doubt. However, over time, he began embracing the very traits that once made him insecure.

Today, he sees his curly hair and distinctive features as integral parts of his identity. During auditions, he was told that a boy with curly hair could not be a conventional hero and that small eyes would not stand out on camera. Rather than internalizing those remarks, he chose to persevere. For Chaturvedi, accepting his individuality became a turning point. What once felt like weaknesses eventually became defining strengths.

As Do Deewane Sheher Mein continues its theatrical journey, its weekend performance will reveal whether it can translate steady curiosity into sustained success. For now, the film’s opening suggests cautious optimism — much like the journey of its leading man, who turned self-doubt into self-belief.