Kani Kusruti Opens Up About Her Role as a Rape Survivor in Upcoming Film 'Assi'
In a candid interview, actress Kani Kusruti has revealed her thoughtful approach to portraying a rape survivor in the highly anticipated film 'Assi'. The actress emphasized that while she aimed for authenticity, she consciously avoided fully immersing herself in the character's traumatic experience to protect her own mental well-being.
'No Actor Can Truly Access That Experience'
Kusruti explained her perspective on tackling such a challenging role. "I don't think one can tap into the trauma of a survivor exactly," she stated frankly. The actress acknowledged the inherent limitations actors face when portraying experiences they haven't personally endured, particularly those involving profound trauma.
She elaborated on her methodology: "As an actor, we tried to go closest to it, and there can be moments you are probably in it because you are almost believing this has happened to you. But I'm not an actor who would fully go in like that, because then it will kind of affect you. I don't tend to do that."
The Legal Grind and Systemic Ironies
Beyond the personal trauma, Kusruti spoke extensively about how 'Assi' explores the legal challenges survivors face in seeking justice. She highlighted the painful reality that court proceedings often force survivors to relive their trauma repeatedly.
"To get justice, you've to go through the pain, so there is an absurdity and irony within the system," Kusruti observed. "But that's how you get justice - you cannot forget it. In the film, there's also a line, 'They won't let you forget this.'"
A Subject Close to Home for Many Indian Women
The actress contextualized the film's relevance within the Indian social landscape. She noted that stories of assault are unfortunately familiar territory for many women in the country.
"As a woman growing up in this country from childhood to now, do I have a sense of such assaults or traumas? Yes, possibly I do, as my close people have gone through it," Kusruti shared. "So every now and then, this is one of the things that you are closely associated with even when you don't want it to be that way."
About the Film 'Assi'
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, 'Assi' follows the harrowing journey of Parima, a married woman in Delhi who is abducted and sexually assaulted. The narrative traces her subsequent struggle through a prolonged legal battle for justice. The film features Taapsee Pannu in the pivotal role of Parima's lawyer, adding another layer to this complex exploration of trauma and resilience.
Kusruti's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the careful balance actors must strike when portraying sensitive subjects - seeking truth in performance while maintaining necessary emotional boundaries. Her approach underscores the responsibility artists bear when bringing such important, difficult stories to the screen.
