Assi
'I follow my heart, my films speak to the audience': Anubhav Sinha on Assi
From casting Taapsee Pannu to the risks of portraying sexual assault on screen, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha reflects on audience readiness, the creative freedom OTT offers, and how AI could reshape storytelling—all while staying true to films that connect with the heart while promoting his new film Assi. IBNS-TWF correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings excerpts of his conversation with Sinha...
Q. Assi- the title drawn from an average 80 rapes reported in India daily, confronts the crisis of sexual violence in and the film uses this stark statistic as its thematic anchor. The story centres on the abduction and gang rape of a school teacher and follows the emotional, legal and societal aftermath of the crime. But how different is Assi from other films that dealt with sexual violence?
A. I did not try to make it different. I tried to avoid repetition. Assi deals with multiple aspects; it’s not just about a case or a court verdict.
Q. Why did you choose Taapsee Pannu again for an advocate’s role after Mulk?
A. Taapsee emerged as the clear choice while we were writing the script. I don’t think anyone after watching the film can imagine anyone else as the perfect fit for the role.
Anubhav Sinha with Taapsee Pannu on the sets of Assi. Photo: T Series PR Team
Q. You opposed the traditional idea of projecting the hero even in a rape scene in Indian films. Do you see a change in contemporary films?
A. No, not really. A hero in every film still has to have a mission. If a rape film is about a hero’s mission, then it’s not truly about rape. My film isn’t about anyone’s mission; it’s about rape as an idea, act, crime, and violation.
Q. Do you think the audience is ready to grasp the stark realism you show in your films?
A. I believe so, because my films have done well at the box office. Audiences have gone to theaters to watch Article 15, Mulk, and Thappad. The fact that people came repeatedly isn’t a coincidence.
Q. You’ve made films in diverse genres throughout your career. Was it a self-discovery process at multiple stages?
A. I think so. I didn’t plan it; it looks designed, but I just followed my heart. These films were risky at the time—making a film like Mulk, when I was down and out, wasn’t a safe proposition. Following my heart is the reason these films connect with audiences.
Anubhav Sinha promoting Assi. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Q. Did you consider the risk factor while making these films?
A. I did, especially while writing. Some sequences, like the assault scenes, were risky in execution, though not overly so.
Q. Do you think OTT is a better space for filmmakers like you to narrate stories?
A. Yes, OTT is ideal for longer narratives that can be converted into series of up to eight episodes.
Q. How do you see Artificial Intelligence influencing filmmaking?
A. We’re entering a phase where AI will transform many processes. It will also inspire innovative content, similar to how cell animation gave rise to blockbuster animated films. AI is a tool that will enable new kinds of storytelling.
Anubhav Sinha with child actor Advik Jaiswal. Photo: T Seri es PR Team
Q. Do you think existing films will be changed?
A. Yes, in terms of process, but not fundamentally otherwise.
(Photos: Avishek Mitra/IBNS & T Series PR Team)
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