Anubhav Sinha’s Assi, starring Taapsee Pannu in the lead, was released in theatres today. The film features an interesting ensemble cast and narrates a hard-hitting take on violence against women set in the capital city. Amid the film`s release, Sinha spoke about the pressures of the box office and how it shapes a film’s perception. The filmmaker feels that the obsession with numbers has gone too far. He said that if it were up to him, he would not reveal the numbers of his film, whether good or bad.
Anubhav Sinha on box office pressures
Anubhav Sinha, in an interview with Screen, said that box office numbers are just good gossip and he hopes that people do not take Assi`s numbers seriously. “The numbers are good gossip. I hope the audience gets it. They don’t understand what’s gross worldwide, gross India, and net India. They don’t know the producer gets less than 50% of the reported figure. Rs 400 crore, Rs 700 crore and Rs 800 crore are all very aspirational figures, no? But I hope the audience doesn’t take these numbers seriously,” he said.
The filmmaker further said that if it were up to him, he would not release box office numbers, whether good or bad. He added that while it is not entirely in his control, he will fight for the film to not release posters flaunting box office numbers and star ratings.
“If I could, I wouldn’t announce my numbers, no matter how good or bad. I don’t think I can stop it. I’ll do my best. I’ll fight tooth and nail to not release our film’s poster with all the star ratings. But sometimes, you get overwritten,” he said.
About Assi
Based on harrowing everyday news, Anubhav Sinha’s Assi is a film that makes us confront the uncomfortable truth we often run away from. Alongside Taapsee, the film features Kani Kusruti, Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, with special appearances by Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Pahwa, further elevating the film’s thrilling depth.
In a statement, director Anubhav Sinha earlier said, “For me, my film has to hit the core of the story. With Assi, it felt like a loud thud exactly where it should. That impact compelled me to make this film. The story draws from everyday news, realities we often choose to ignore. To tell a story like this, Taapsee is a natural you just take her there and she delivers her best. And with Bhushan Kumar backing a film like Assi, we know we’re striking the nail in the right corner.”