Anubhav Sinha’s latest directorial, Assi, starring Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti, hit theatres on Friday, February 21, 2026. Despite garnering positive reviews, the film took a slow start at the box office, collecting approximately ₹1 crore on opening day, according to Sacnilk.
Box Office Context
Content-driven films often rely on word of mouth, and analysts suggest that the collections could see an uptick over the weekend as audience response spreads. The reported budget for Assi is around ₹30–40 crore, meaning the film will need a significant boost in collections to break even.
Competition: Do Deewane Seher Mein
Assi faced competition from Do Deewane Seher Mein, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur, which earned roughly ₹1.25 crore on its first day despite receiving mixed reviews.
Critical Reception
The film has been well-received by critics, with The Free Press Journal giving it 3.5 stars, noting:
“Assi is a hard-hitting and disturbing film. It reminds us that even in 2026, one of the biggest issues in our country is women’s safety. Assi does not entertain, but it gives you a reality check that hits hard.”
Audience feedback on social media has also been positive, suggesting that strong word of mouth could help the film improve its box office performance in the coming days.