Taapsee Pannu on her hat-trick collaboration with Anubhav Sinha: ‘His films are dramatically real’

The duo is now gearing up for their hat-trick collaboration with Assi.

A fast-paced investigative courtroom drama, Assi is already making waves for its powerful dialogues, compelling narrative, and a critically acclaimed ensemble cast. Adding to the intrigue is Taapsee’s fierce and commanding presence in the film, glimpses of which have sparked strong conversations.

As Assi marks Taapsee’s third collaboration with Anubhav Sinha, the actor opened up about her experience of working with the filmmaker.

Speaking about him, she shared: "I don’t want to bracket Anubhav Sir only with respect to courtroom dramas. I think there are a lot of things he brings to the table that make his films feel dramatically real, almost too close to home.

"Whether it’s courtroom dramas like Mulk or Assi, or stories like Thappad or Article 15, his storytelling has a way of presenting facts so effortlessly in front of you that sometimes, when that mirror is held up, it’s challenging to look at."

Taapsee Pannu with Anubhav Sinha on the sets of Assi. Photo: T Series PR Team

"He makes you see the reality of life  in such an effortless manner that you simply cannot ignore them once they’re in front of you and that’s what makes his films extremely impactful."

She also added, "When you have a director who has the power to present even the simplest stories in the most powerful way, I think actors are probably the safest in those films. That’s why I don’t think anyone can say that a certain actor didn’t perform well in his films.

"The material he gives you, the kind of scenes and moments he allows you to create, there's very little room for an actor who is truly invested to go wrong. If you’re genuinely committed, the moments he asks you to create and the dialogues he gives you are like kid in a candy shop."

Alongside Taapsee Pannu in lead, ASSI  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.

Gulshan Kumar and T-Series present ASSI, a Benaras Media Works production, directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anubhav Sinha.

The film releases exclusively in theatres worldwide on February 20, 2026.