EXCLUSIVE: Anubhav Sinha says films like Assi cannot be judged by weekend numbers as film releases on ZEE5; calls Taapsee Pannu “the right choice”
By Bollywood Hungama News Network Fri Apr 17 11:50:47 IST
Explaining the casting decision, Sinha said: “Casting for these parts, besides finding a very skilled actor, is also a belief system in what the film is trying to do. That brings a very palpable shade of honesty to the performance. Thankfully Taapsee doesn’t take these parts up as a career choice but with an unwavering commitment and urge to participate in the conversation. This makes her a very apt choice for the part. Such was the belief system of Ayushman in Article 15 and you could almost touch the belief.”
Film rooted in director’s understanding of justice
Sinha also spoke about how Assi reflects his personal understanding of justice and accountability in society. He said the film did not change his perspective. Instead, it emerged from it.
He explained: “On the contrary, making Assi stems from the way I look at Justice. I do not believe justice for such crimes is served in the courtrooms. There the punishment is served which does serve as a deterrent for the crime. But the real justice lies in the minds of potential perpetrators. This justice is to be served at home, hence the children viscerally attached to the telling of the story.”
The filmmaker suggested that conversations around social responsibility begin within families and communities rather than only within legal systems.
Director reflects on how success should be measured for films like Assi
Speaking about the film’s reception and how he measures success for projects with a social message, Sinha said that such films cannot be judged only by opening weekend numbers.
He said: “There are two ways to look at it. Yes we got universally great reviews. Of course there were some exceptions albeit a very few. The success of the film, especially such films, to me, is not decided on a Friday or over the weekend. It lies in the time for which it lives to remain relevant. How long do people talk about it is the real measure of the success of these films, because such is the intention of these films. There are choices made during the making which do not conform to a record shattering box office. The choices are striving hard for the right impact.”
He further added, “There are films that will and should be judged for their weekend and such but that is their endeavour and that is an entirely different enterprise and nothing wrong with that. I love those films myself. The world need needs occasional instant gratification and catharsis as well. It is unfair to judge films like Assi with the same parameters. Looking at ASSI’s Box office we figure that over a million people went to the theaters across the world to watch this film. Which is quite heartening for a film like this. Would one have liked more people going in? Of course yes, many more. That would help many more such film that are waiting to be made.”
With its release on ZEE5, Assi is now available to a wider audience beyond its theatrical run, extending the conversation the filmmaker hoped the film would spark.
Also Read: Assi set for digital premiere on ZEE5 on April 17 after theatrical run