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The trailer for Anubhav Sinha’s much-anticipated courtroom drama Assi was released, marking a powerful return for Taapsee Pannu after a nearly two-year hiatus. Reuniting with the director after their acclaimed hits Mulk and Thappad, Taapsee portrays a tenacious lawyer fighting for justice in a case of brutal sexual violence.
A Hard-Hitting Narrative on Sexual Violence
The trailer opens with a chilling statistic that gives the film its name: 80 (Assi) rape cases are reported in India every single day.
- The Plot: The story follows the devastating journey of a woman (played by Kani Kusruti) who is abducted, gang-raped, and left on railway tracks. Taapsee’s character takes on the “unimportant” case, battling a legal system that often trivializes such crimes.
- The “Urgent Watch”: The trailer has been described by netizens as “unsettling” and “necessary,” with many praising its refusal to look away from the harsh realities of victim-blaming and judicial apathy.
- The Uday Prakash Quote: Sharing the trailer, Taapsee posted a poignant quote from the Hindi poet: “A man thinks nothing after death… A man says nothing after death… By not thinking and not saying anything, a man dies.”
Cast and Crew
The film features a heavyweight ensemble cast, signaling a return to gritty, socially relevant cinema:
- Lead Pair: Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti.
- Supporting Cast: Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.
- Special Appearances: Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Pahwa.
- Music: Composed by Anurag Saikia, the score adds to the trailer’s haunting atmosphere.
Theatrical Release and Clash
- Release Date: February 20, 2026.
- Box Office Clash: Assi will face off against Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur’s urban romance Do Deewane Seher Mein, setting up a “content vs. romance” showdown at the box office.