Assi OTT partner revealed! Here's when and where you can stream Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti's hard-hitting courtroom drama after its theatrical run

Assi a thriller by Anubhav Sinha starring Taapsee Pannu, hits theatres on Feb 20, 2026. Tackling India's sexual assault crisis, it arrives on ZEE5 this April. A must-watch for non-formulaic cinema.

Kani Kusruti and Taapsee Pannu in a still from Assi

The investigative courtroom thriller Assi has been acquired by ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) for digital streaming ahead of its much-anticipated theatrical launch on February 20, 2026. The film, which stars Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti and is directed by Anubhav Sinha, is scheduled to launch on the platform for OTT streaming around eight weeks after it opens in theatres, with a preliminary date of April 17, 2026.

What is the expected streaming release timeline of Assi?

This Friday, the movie will open in theatres all throughout India. The industry-standard windowing agreement anticipates a digital release on ZEE5 following a 56-day theatrical run. The official announcement on the film's streaming premiere will be made after the box office performance, but subscribers will likely be able to stream the film on April 17, 2026.

The title Assi is based on a disturbing statistic: the 80 reported cases of sexual assault per day in India. The story revolves around Parima, a teacher played by Kusruti, who manages to survive a heinous gang sexual assault and is abandoned on a railway track.

ALSO READ: Assi review: Anubhav Sinha’s most uncomfortable film is a bone-chilling ticking clock on a rotten system

How does Assi challenge traditional courtroom dramas?

Raavi, played by Pannu, is a tenacious defence attorney who takes up Parima's case, and the plot follows her as she fights for justice. Supposedly a scathing social critique, the film delves deeper than the courts to probe institutionalised bias, bureaucratic red tape, and the general public's indifference for trauma victims. Assi seeks to draw attention to the oversaturation of the justice system and the normalisation of crime, as opposed to conventional legal thrillers.

After the highly praised Mulk and Thappad this is Sinha and Pannu's third joint venture. A stellar ensemble cast headlines the film, which also features Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Vinay, Parima's husband. Playing supporting parts are Seema Pahwa, Naseeruddin Shah, and Manoj Pahwa, while Kumud Mishra plays a mysterious character, and Revathy is considered the presiding judge.

Who wrote the screenplay for Assi?

Having worked together on Article 15 Sinha and Gaurav Solanki once again penned the screenplay together.

Assi is an example of the kind of "rooted" storytelling that Pannu has openly pleaded with moviegoers to see in theatres to save the industry from producing non-formulaic films.

Assi FAQs:

Q: When is the movie Assi releasing in theatres?

A: The Anubhav Sinha-directed film Assi is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on February 20, 2026.

Q: What is the OTT release date for Assi?

A: Assi is expected to stream on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) starting April 17, 2026 (tentative), adhering to the standard eight-week theatrical window.

Q: Who is in the cast of Assi?

A: Assi features a stellar ensemble cast Taapsee Pannu as the defense lawyer, Raavi, Kani Kusruti as the survivor, Parima, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Parima’s husband, Vinay, and Revathy as the Judge. The cast also includes Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Seema Pahwa.

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