At the Kolkata premiere of Anubhav Sinha’s latest venture ‘Assi’, actress Srilekha Mitra delivered a powerful statement on women’s safety in modern India. Far from a typical cinematic outing, the film lays bare the epidemic of violence plaguing women, backed by harrowing real-life data.
The title ‘Assi’ – meaning 80 – stems from the plot’s pivotal day when 80 girls endure unimaginable horrors alongside the lead character. Mitra posed a stark query: ‘One day brings 80 cases; what about a year?’ This numerical anchor drives home the urgency, transforming fiction into a societal alarm.
Mitra delved into the film’s philosophical core, questioning India’s developmental narrative. ‘Are we advancing, retreating, or stuck in limbo? Where are we headed?’ She praised its dissection of institutional shortcomings, from origins of violence to its unchecked proliferation.
Referencing the Epstein files that unmasked elite perpetrators worldwide, Mitra underscored a universal malaise. ‘Respected names hide unspeakable crimes, fueled by influence and wealth.’ In India, the sight of educated professionals queuing for basics underscores systemic rot.
‘Our great nation grapples with dire conditions,’ she lamented. ‘Assi’ compels audiences to reflect and act, positioning itself as essential viewing for anyone invested in change.