Kani Kusruti Opens Up About Hindi Cinema Challenges and 'Assi' Courtroom Drama
Kani Kusruti, the acclaimed Malayalam actress who gained international recognition through Payal Kapadia's award-winning film 'All We Imagine As Light', has made a significant entry into Hindi cinema with Anubhav Sinha's powerful courtroom drama 'Assi'. In the film, she portrays Parima, a rape survivor from New Delhi who courageously fights for justice with the assistance of her lawyer Raavi, played by Taapsee Pannu.
Language Barrier and Cultural Identity in Bollywood
In a recent interview with SCREEN, Kani Kusruti candidly addressed why she hasn't appeared in more Hindi films despite her growing popularity. The regional actress revealed, "Because I don't speak Hindi. I won't be able to do all the parts that come to me. I tell them, 'Please don't cast me.' It has to be something like Assi because Anubhav very nicely made my character to be from Kerala. Otherwise he wanted it to be from some other part of North India, Delhi probably."
She elaborated on the practical challenges, stating, "I told him I can't even learn the lines. I'd take so much time to even understand them. I don't think I can learn Hindi that fast. Also, culture and so many other things. I'm a true Malayali in every aspect. I still think in Malayalam. I've to constantly translate when I speak in English."
'Assi' Maintains Steady Box Office Performance
Anubhav Sinha's courtroom drama 'Assi' continues to demonstrate consistent performance at the box office, having crossed the Rs 5 crore mark within its first five days of release. The film has received critical acclaim for its bold portrayal of the serious issue of rising sexual violence against women in contemporary society.
According to industry tracking platform Sacnilk, 'Assi' earned approximately Rs 70 lakh on both its fourth and fifth days, maintaining steady numbers without significant weekday jumps. The film opened with a solid Rs 1 crore on its first day and performed strongly over the weekend, collecting Rs 1.6 crore each on Saturday and Sunday. The current total collection stands at an impressive Rs 5.6 crore.
Third Collaboration Between Taapsee Pannu and Anubhav Sinha
'Assi' marks the third successful collaboration between actress Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha, following their previous critically acclaimed projects 'Mulk' (2018) and 'Thappad' (2020). The film presents a compelling narrative of a woman from Delhi who embarks on a determined quest for justice following a horrific sexual assault.
The courtroom drama features an impressive ensemble cast that includes:
- Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub
- Kumud Mishra
- Revathi
- Manoj Pahwa
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Supriya Pathak
- Seema Pahwa
During her interview, Kani Kusruti also reflected on several important topics including:
- The evolving atmosphere for women within Malayalam film sets
- Her perspectives on stories rooted in street justice and revenge narratives
- The challenges of working in a new linguistic environment
- The importance of authentic cultural representation in cinema
The actress's honest revelations about language barriers in Bollywood highlight the ongoing challenges regional actors face when transitioning to Hindi cinema, while her successful performance in 'Assi' demonstrates how thoughtful casting and character development can overcome these obstacles.
