Anubhav Sinha’s latest directorial venture Assi witnessed a noticeable jump in collections on its second day at the box office. After opening to a modest Rs. 1 crore on Friday, the courtroom drama registered a 60 per cent growth on Saturday, collecting Rs. 1.60 crore. While a 60 per cent spike is generally considered a positive trend, the relatively low base of the opening day means the growth may not be sufficient to significantly alter the film’s box office trajectory.
With two days of its theatrical run completed, Assi has accumulated a total of Rs. 2.60 crore nett at the Indian box office. Based on current trends and momentum, the film is projected to wrap up its opening weekend at approximately Rs. 4 crore nett. For a film mounted as a content-driven courtroom drama, these numbers indicate a steady but underwhelming start.
In the current theatrical climate, especially in the post-pandemic era, films that are not mounted as large-scale commercial entertainers often struggle to generate strong footfalls in their initial days. Industry experts note that when a film opens at a low level, it ideally needs to double or even treble its opening day figures over the weekend to build substantial momentum. While Assi has shown growth, the jump has not been sharp enough to signal a breakout performance.
The film features a talented ensemble cast led by Taapsee Pannu, alongside Kani Kusruti, Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. Backed by strong performances and a socially relevant narrative, the film has garnered positive word-of-mouth among a section of the audience. This encouraging reception could potentially help the film maintain stability during the weekdays.
However, the real test for Assi begins from Monday onwards. Content-driven films often rely heavily on word-of-mouth and sustained weekday performance to compensate for modest openings. For Assi to emerge as a success or even recover its costs, it will need to demonstrate exceptionally strong weekday trends and minimal drop-offs in collections.
The film’s performance inevitably invites comparisons with Sinha and Pannu’s previous collaboration, Thappad. Released before the pandemic, Thappad had opened on a stronger note and went on to collect approximately Rs. 30 crore during its lifetime run. In today’s market conditions, that figure would be considered respectable for a mid-budget social drama. The difference in theatrical dynamics between then and now is significant.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid growth of OTT platforms has considerably altered audience viewing habits. The theatrical market for non-event, issue-based films has contracted, with many viewers preferring to wait for digital releases. As a result, mid-scale dramas face increasing challenges in drawing audiences to cinemas unless they generate extraordinary buzz or critical acclaim.
On the brighter side, Assi currently faces limited competition at the box office. There are no major releases lined up until Dhurandhar and Toxic, both scheduled for release on March 19. This relatively clear window gives Assi the opportunity for an uninterrupted theatrical run over the coming weeks. If the film manages to hold steady and benefit from positive audience feedback, it could gradually improve its overall tally.
Here is a breakdown of Assi’s day-wise box office collections so far:
Friday: Rs. 1 crore
Saturday: Rs. 1.60 crore
Total (2 days): Rs. 2.60 crore nett
As the weekend concludes and the weekdays begin, all eyes will be on how Assi sustains itself in an increasingly competitive and evolving theatrical landscape. Its journey ahead will largely depend on word-of-mouth, critical support, and audience engagement in the days to come.
