Assi (2026) – A Courtroom That Mirrors a Nation

Some films narrate an issue. And then some films force you to sit with it. Assi firmly belongs to the latter.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha and written by Gaurav Solanki and Sinha himself, the film is mounted under the banner of Benaras Media Works. It arrives as a hard-hitting courtroom drama that doesn’t aim to comfort its audience — it challenges them.

The Premise

At its core, Assi addresses the alarming rise in rape cases in India. But instead of relying on melodrama or sensationalism, the film adopts a procedural, almost documentary-like realism. There’s a striking creative decision — a mere one-second slide that reads “20 minutes” — and that brevity is intentional. It is not about time passing; it is about how quickly trauma, justice, and public outrage intersect and dissolve.

Taapsee Pannu: Controlled Firepower

Taapsee Pannu leads the narrative as the defence lawyer, delivering one of her more restrained yet internally explosive performances. She does not perform anger — she internalises it. Her courtroom presence is sharp, clinical, and morally conflicted.

The final monologue is where the film peaks. It is not loud. It is not theatrical. It is piercing. The speech feels less like a scripted conclusion and more like an indictment of systemic apathy. That closing stretch lingers long after the credits roll.

Supporting Cast: Weight and Gravitas

The ensemble — including Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, and Kumud Mishra — ensures the courtroom never feels like a staged battleground. Each character operates within shades of grey. There are no caricatures here. Only flawed individuals navigate a flawed system.

Their performances add institutional texture to the narrative — bureaucratic indifference, moral hesitation, and silent complicity are all embodied rather than explained.

Brutality as Narrative Choice

The film does not dilute the violence. Certain sequences are shown in raw, almost uncomfortable detail. This is not exploitation; it is confrontation. The brutality is meant to disturb — and it does.

However, this decision is double-edged. While it strengthens the film’s urgency, it may alienate viewers who find the intensity overwhelming.

The lack of cinematic cushioning — background music swells, heroic framing, sentimental relief — is deliberate. Sinha keeps the camera steady and unforgiving.

Craft & Structure

Cinematically, the film leans into stark frames and prolonged silences. The editing rhythm mirrors courtroom pacing — patient, procedural, and at times deliberately slow. It demands engagement rather than entertainment.

The screenplay’s strength lies in its layered arguments. Every dialogue exchange feels researched and intentional. Yet, in parts, the narrative’s density weighs it down, making certain stretches feel prolonged.

Final Verdict

Assi is not an easy watch. Nor is it designed to be. It functions as both a film and a societal mirror — uncomfortable, unfiltered, and unapologetic.

While it may not fully transcend into a landmark courtroom classic, it succeeds in igniting necessary discomfort. And sometimes, that is enough.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)