‘Assi’ Review: Courtroom drama starring Taapsee Pannu exposes brutal reality behind India’s rape crisis
PTC Web Desk: With the release of 'Assi' starring Taapsee Pannu, director Anubhav Sinha has made another socially conscious film. Sinha has altered his cinematic voice multiple times over the last nine years, garnering a reputation for dramas that touch on difficult subjects. He maintains that trajectory with relentless intensity with 'Assi'.
The movie's title "Assi" refers to the claimed frequency of rape in India on a daily basis. Every 20 minutes, a dark "20" appears on the screen, serving as a devastating reminder to spectators that another attack is taking place while they watch the film. The goal of "Assi" is to illuminate terrible realities.
The main characters of the story are Parima played by Kani Kusruti, her husband Vinay played by Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, and their little son Dhruv.
Parima attends a coworker's retirement party and then takes the metro home late at night. The following stage is a nightmare: she is kidnapped by a few men, gang-raped, and left on railroad tracks. The film then shifts to the consequent legal dispute, which uncovers institutional corruption and an ongoing trend of carelessness.
In the courtroom drama, Taapsee Pannu is a pivotal character who leads with confidence and gives a strong, compelling performance, especially during the film's courtroom moments. Kusruti serves as the story's emotional centre, effectively capturing Parima's trauma and resiliency. The subtlety of Ayyub's portrayal of a mostly silent, but unwavering husband is enhanced by his restrained acting. Kumud Mishra is consistently captivating.
The film has been receiving splendid yet fact-based reviews. One user quoted that the film shakes to the core and praises the plot's bold depiction of corruption and the justice system’s failures.
Some users also drew similarities and compared Anubhav Sinha's earlier projects and said 'Assi' is another powerful addition to his brilliantly portrayed socially conscious filmography.
- With inputs from agencies
