Writer's Payday: Assi Breaks Norms

The film 'Assi' made its debut announcement in mid-January through social media, initially presenting posters that omitted cast and directorial credits. These early releases featured intriguing taglines like "Eighty. Per day. Every day" and "An urgent watch," soon followed by the provocative statement, "The highest paid crew member on this film is the writer!"

On January 23, the film's identity was fully unveiled, revealing that Anubhav Sinha directed 'Assi' and Taapsee Pannu stars in the lead. Writer Gaurav Solanki, speaking in an exclusive interview, discussed the innovative marketing strategy and his unprecedented pay. Solanki expressed hope that such recognition for writers becomes common enough to cease being newsworthy.

Solanki elaborated on the film's development, stating that he and director Anubhav Sinha collaboratively conceived the subject. He confirmed that Taapsee Pannu was the definitive choice for the lead role from the outset of the writing process. The film's unique approach extends to its marketing, prioritizing story and title over immediate star power.

Addressing earlier speculation, Solanki clarified that 'Assi' was never intended to be titled 'Mulk 2,' despite Sinha's direction and Pannu's role as a lawyer, similar to their previous collaboration 'Mulk' (2018). He emphasized that 'Assi' possesses a distinct thriller, courtroom, and human drama narrative.

The writer also shared insights into his collaborative experiences, highlighting Pannu's valuable script input and Kani Kusruti's earnest performance. He drew parallels to his work on 'Article 15,' explaining the thematic significance of placing a copy of Article 15 in a police station to remind staff of constitutional principles.

Looking ahead, Solanki revealed that he and Anubhav Sinha are developing two more distinct film projects, with their production timelines yet to be determined.