Assi Review:
By Muralikrishna
Rating: 2.75/5
In recent years, Hindi cinema has increasingly turned to courtroom dramas as vehicles for social introspection. Assi, directed by Anubhav Sinha and headlined by Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti, attempts to confront the grim reality of sexual violence and the systemic indifference that often follows. While the film is driven by a powerful core idea and committed performances, its impact is blunted by sluggish storytelling and uneven character development.
Story:
Parima (Kani Kusruti), a schoolteacher, becomes the victim of a brutal sexual assault carried out by a group of local miscreants. Traumatized but determined, she finds legal support in Advocate Raavi (Taapsee Pannu), who takes up her case in pursuit of justice.
What unfolds in the courtroom is not merely a legal battle but a larger confrontation with societal apathy, institutional fatigue, and moral complacency. As Raavi digs deeper, uncomfortable truths begin to surface about the perpetrators, about the system meant to protect citizens, and about the emotional cost borne by survivors.
Performances:
Kani Kusruti delivers the film’s most compelling performance. Her portrayal of Parima is internalized and haunting; she conveys anguish not through melodrama but through restrained expressions and silences. The emotional weight she carries anchors the film.
Taapsee Pannu, portraying Advocate Raavi, brings her trademark intensity to the role. She embodies conviction and resolve effectively, particularly in the courtroom exchanges. However, the screenplay restricts her character largely to the second half, leaving her arc feeling somewhat underdeveloped.
Kumud Mishra offers a solid supporting turn, though his character lacks a fully realized conclusion. Naseeruddin Shah appears in a cameo that feels more symbolic than substantial, leaving viewers wishing his presence had been better utilized.
Strengths:
The film deserves credit for tackling an urgent and deeply disturbing social issue. Anubhav Sinha’s intention is clear to highlight how normalized violence against women has disturbingly become in contemporary society. The courtroom sequences, at their best, carry moments of intensity and moral urgency. The background score adds emotional gravity, and the production design maintains a grounded realism.
Shortcomings:
Where Assi falters is in its pacing. The narrative unfolds at a measured tempo that gradually slips into inertia. The buildup to the central conflict takes longer than necessary, and several courtroom exchanges feel prolonged beyond their dramatic utility.
More critically, certain character arcs appear sketchy. Parima’s personal life particularly her husband’s role is insufficiently explored, and Raavi’s character, despite Taapsee’s effort, lacks layered writing. The police portrayal, while perhaps intended as commentary on systemic indifference, feels somewhat one-dimensional.
The editing, too, could have been sharper. A tighter cut might have preserved the film’s intensity and prevented the narrative from stagnating.
Technical Merits:
Cinematography remains understated and functional, capturing the somber mood effectively. The background score supports the emotional undercurrents without overwhelming them. Production values are commendable, but the screenplay and pacing dilute the film’s thematic strength.
Verdict:
Assi is a well-intentioned courtroom drama that addresses a pressing social issue with sincerity. Anchored by strong performances especially from Kani Kusruti it strives to provoke reflection. However, uneven writing and slow pacing prevent it from achieving the sharp, resonant impact its subject demands.
A film with purpose and potential, Assi ultimately leaves one appreciating the intent more than the execution.
