Assi is a Courtroom Drama with an Important message, Which Conveys the Intention Strongly

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Assi is a courtroom drama that delves into themes of trauma, justice, and emotional resilience. Led by powerful performances from Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti, the film offers a gripping yet unsettling cinematic experience.

Assi Story

Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha, who previously collaborated on ‘Mulk’ and ‘Thappad’, are back with their latest courtroom drama, ‘Assi’

Parima, played by Kani Kusruti, is a Malayali woman who is a teacher at a Delhi school. She has a loving husband called Vinay (a perfect Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub) who happens to be a Haryanvi and a young son Dhruv. The family is shattered in one night: Parima is abducted and assaulted by five men in a car after exiting the Metro late from a school farewell party.

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Parima gives it back to the defense counsel, who tries to undermine her testimony in court. While her case is on, she wants to resume teaching at her school because she wants to get back to the grind, only to be discouraged by a disheartened principal (Seema Pahwa)

Why Should You Watch Assi?

There is a high level of intensity in Assi, which is usually present in courtroom dramas. The director Anubhav Sinha has addressed an important issue related to today’s society. He intends to convey that physical assaults on women have become common lately.

Kani Kusruti, who played the victim, did a fabulous job. The way she emotes her pain through expressions is very good, and her portrayal will connect with everyone. 

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Taapsee Pannu lived in the character of an advocate, proving how good a performer she is. Kumud Mishra did well in a pivotal role. The core point of the story is presented well.

Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub is heartbreakingly good as the man who somehow holds himself together as he sees his wife struggle with unbearable pain. 

Supriya Pathak Kapur appears in one sequence and nails the brief as a woman in her 50s who has made peace with patriarchy and now wields it like a weapon.

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The Negatives

The main problem with Assi is its slow pacing. The director took his time to introduce the main plot, and the proceedings that happen after the key event are too dramatic. The way the police look at the assault as just another normal crime feels questionable, and Kani Kusruti’s role isn’t well designed, despite the actress showing her brilliance.

Taapsee Pannu’s role feels underwritten, and she is restricted to the second half alone. Kani Kusruti’s husband’s role is also not effective. Kumud Mishra’s character fails to get a proper ending.

The courtroom scenes in the second half are dragged out after a point. The audience might get the feeling that the movie is progressing at a snail’s pace. A senior actor like Naseeruddin Shah is wasted in a cameo.

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Produced by Benaras Media Works, the film was released in theatres on February 20, 2026, and has already started trending on social media.