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

Assi story:

A riveting courtroom drama and investigative thriller, Assi is directed by Anubhav Sinha and takes its name from the horrifying statistic that 80 rapes are recorded every day in India. The story follows Parima (Kani Kusruti), a devoted teacher whose life takes a tragic turn when five men abduct and violently rape her on her way home.

With the help of her tenacious husband, Vinay (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), the case is taken up by the formidable lawyer Raavi (Taapsee Pannu) against a backdrop of victim-blaming and societal indifference. As the legal struggle progresses, the film reveals a "rotten system" afflicted by bureaucratic red tape, unscrupulous police officers, and entrenched patriarchy. Based on real-life events rather than dramatic flourishes, Assi is a thought-provoking look at institutional failure and collective trauma.

Assi review:

We are living in times when films based on real-world issues are being produced at an alarming rate. What we read in the daily news comes alive on screen, and whether we choose to watch it is a personal choice. But does that mean we should believe such events do not occur in real life? Of course not.

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I went to watch this film because I received an unexpected invitation. Was I ready to witness this uncomfortable and disturbing story a week prior to its release? No. I still haven't overcome the trauma of what I witnessed during those two hours.

Assi begins with the horrific sight of Parima lying on a railway track—bruised, partially clothed, and struggling for her life. She is saved by a passerby who takes her immediately to the hospital. For a moment, I thought, "That is it; that's all we get to know about the crime," because we are immediately taken back to a flashback of Parima, a Malayali woman, leading a simple life with her North Indian husband, Vinay, and their son, Dhruv (Advik Jaiswal).

Similar to Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad (2020), we are introduced to the supporting cast one by one—from Kumud Mishra, who is leading a mysterious life, to Taapsee Pannu’s lawyer—and see how they eventually intertwine with Parima’s case.

The film transports us to the heartbreaking night of Parima's abduction and rape in a moving car just a few minutes into the story. Again, I assumed the film would leave the details to not even be imagined. However, Sinha takes it up a notch, going completely graphic to push the viewers into a space of extreme discomfort. These were among the most disturbing minutes of my life; thinking about them still gives me chills.

Sinha also ensures the weight of the statistics stays with the audience. Every 20 minutes, the screen turns red and a timer appears, stating that another rape case has been registered in India. It highlights the grim reality: it’s not just that a crime happens, but that a new case enters the official record every 20 minutes.

The characters occasionally mention this "violation of the fourth wall" in their dialogues. It begs the question: How do we overcome this? Will Assi raise awareness? Is the message that women must constantly be careful while living in this country?

The film follows a familiar path of exploring patriarchy and the character assassination of the survivor. But the bottom line remains: men "created" this culture, which is regressing our society daily. There is a scene where one of the accused says without remorse that these things never happen without a woman showing interest. It is shocking but no longer surprising, as it's a sentiment we have heard far too often in real life.

Assi feels more like a documentary than a traditional "film," but it isn't free from flaws. While the execution is occasionally uneven, it consistently keeps the central topic in focus. It is important to note that this film is not Pink (2016). While Pink sparked a conversation about "no means no," Assi shows a world where the question wasn't even asked.

In this film, women are treated as objects, shown disturbingly during the assault sequence. The word "no" doesn't even reach the survivor’s mouth during the trial because the struggle isn't about consent—it's about how she was stripped of her dignity by men who failed to see her as a fellow human being.

The film suggests that if a man can be a destructor, he can also be a protector. While I would rather not dwell on it, the film introduces a "saviour complex" angle that occasionally distracts from the primary focus: how the law fails to support victims.

However, the character of Vinay is beautifully written. He walks side-by-side with Parima; he doesn’t just lead the way but paves a path for her to walk ahead while remaining her constant support. Zeeshan Ayyub plays the supportive husband perfectly—never showing a weak moment, much like Parima herself. They fight for justice while ensuring they don't fail as parents.

One hard-hitting moment occurs during the court proceedings when their young son, Dhruv, accompanies them. When asked why, Vinay replies that the boy is not a kid anymore; he has grown up. It emphasizes how important it is to teach boys how to exist in society without making others feel unsafe. Assi doesn't just spend time "teaching" men; it shows them that there are—and must be—unforgivable repercussions for these actions.

Finally, Taapsee Pannu’s Raavi brings a necessary balance of anger and stability. She knows Parima is not the first, and unfortunately, not the last, survivor she will fight for. During the trial, when the defense lawyer, brilliantly played by Satyajit Sharma, and the judge—another fantastic performance by Revathy—label her points as "irrelevant," the audience knows they aren't. It is a stern reminder that under the current law, without specific proof, the truth is often treated as irrelevant.

Written by Gaurav Solanki with Sinha, Assi doesn't intend to be an easy watch for a second, and they make sure to remind viewers that while you're watching the film, multiple rape cases are registered by the time you step out. We see people in the civil court sitting in a small, crowded room where everyone is literally sweating, but even though justice is delayed, it ensures that it is not denied further.

Assi verdict:

Assi is a visceral, unflinching indictment of a "rotten system" that demands to be seen, even as it remains deeply uncomfortable. Anubhav Sinha trades polish for gritty realism, anchored by powerhouse performances from Kani Kusruti and Zeeshan Ayyub. By weaving grim statistics directly into the narrative, the film transcends courtroom drama to become a haunting wake-up call regarding institutional failure and entrenched patriarchy.

Assi is releasing in theatres on February 20, 2026.