Assi: Amid positive responses, director Anubhav Sinha says 'mid-size films have the highest chance of good returns'
Assi, directed by Anubhav Sinha, has been receiving good responses from fans and critics. The intense, edge-of-the-seat thriller stars Taapsee Pannu, Kani Kusruti, and others.
Last Updated: 03.53 PM, Feb 22, 2026
Assi is a gripping, hard-hitting investigative courtroom drama directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film marks the third collaboration between Sinha and Taapsee Pannu, following their critically acclaimed works Mulk and Thappad. Assi has been receiving a lot of good responses from critics and fans, and amid this, director Sinha said that mid-size films have the highest chance of good returns.
Anubhav Sinha comments on mid-size films amid Assi's good responses
During a new interview with Mid-Day, Anubhav Sinha opened up about mid-size films. When Anubhav released Anek (2022), he had advocated for a model where smaller films could enjoy a limited theatrical run before quickly moving to OTT platforms. He believed that this approach would help modest-budget movies find their audience without being overshadowed by big-screen blockbusters.
However, just days after his latest film Assi hit theaters, Sinha has revealed that his views on the strategy have evolved, signaling a rethink of the limited-release approach he once endorsed.
He said, “I’m saying the exact opposite today. The future is this size [of films]. Mid-size, medium budget, and high-concept films have the highest chance of a good ROI [return on investment]."
He further added, "That’s the only cinema I know as a maker. In an era where box office is dominated by blockbusters, the director insists that filmmakers should create well-budgeted, content-rich stories, confident that such movies will eventually connect with their audiences.
“I love Rajkumar Hirani and Rohit Shetty films as a viewer. But as a filmmaker, this is all I want. So, I will fight for my and my peers’ right to make films we believe in," Sinha said.
Is it tough to launch small, meaningful films amid blockbusters?
Sinha shared that it’s tougher for others than for him. “You have to make a good film and recover the money. I make my films frugally. But it’s not easy for everybody. There will be six more directors who want to make such films; they are running around with their scripts. But they won’t get funded. I’m too senior and I’ve seen more than reasonable success. [So] I get to do this," he said.
More about Assi
Assi (meaning 80 in Hindi) is a reference to the approximately 80 rape cases reported daily in India. The story follows Parima, a schoolteacher in Delhi who is abducted after a colleague's retirement party and brutally gang-raped by five men in a moving SUV.
Taapsee Pannu plays Raavi, a fierce and determined lawyer who takes on Parima’s case to fight for justice against a corrupt and apathetic system.
Assi FAQs:
Q: When is the movie Assi releasing in theatres?
A: The Anubhav Sinha-directed film Assi was released in cinemas on February 20.
Q: Where to watch Assi online?
A: Assi will be released on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium), expected to stream from 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.