Can Taapsee Pannu Break Bollywood's Female Opener Record?

Taapsee Pannu is set to feature in Anubhav Sinha's upcoming courtroom thriller, 'Assi,' with a theatrical release scheduled for February 20, 2026. The film delves into a gritty trial of a rape case, and its box office performance on opening day is highly anticipated.

Pannu, known for her roles in socially relevant cinema, has prior experience in courtroom settings, having impressed in Sinha's 'Mulk' and delivered a powerful performance as a victim in 'Pink.' The current top 10 list for biggest female openers in Bollywood is dominated by commercial films.

'Assi' faces the challenge of entering this elite list, with the tenth spot currently held by Priyanka Chopra's 'Mary Kom,' which earned 8 crore upon its release in 2014. This poses a significant box office hurdle for Pannu's film, especially given the declining trend of social dramas in theaters.

Previous female-centric openers in recent years include Kajol's 'Maa' in 2025, which opened at 4.93 crore, and Rani Mukerji's 'Mardaani 3' this year, collecting 4 crore on its opening day. 'Assi' will be compared against these figures as it seeks to make its mark.