Actor Kani Kusruti has spoken candidly about the emotional responsibility of portraying a rape survivor in her upcoming film Assi. In a recent interview, she reflected on the challenges of embodying such deep trauma, acknowledging that while it is impossible to completely understand a survivor’s experience, it is vital to approach the character with honesty and sensitivity.
Kani, who plays Parima — a married woman in Delhi who is abducted and sexually assaulted — shared that she consciously avoided immersing herself so deeply into the role that it would affect her mental well-being. “I don't think one can tap into the trauma exactly,” she said, adding that while actors attempt to get as close as possible to the emotional reality, fully internalising it can be overwhelming.
She further explained that, as a woman growing up in India, the subject of sexual violence is unfortunately not distant. Drawing from the collective experiences of women around her, she tried to bring authenticity to the role. “As a woman growing up in this country… do I have a sense of such assaults or traumas? Yes, possibly I do, as my close people have gone through it,” she noted, underlining how pervasive the issue is.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Assi delves into not only the traumatic assault but also the aftermath — particularly the police investigation and courtroom battle that follows. Kani revealed that working on the film gave her insight into how India’s legal system handles cases of sexual violence. She highlighted the painful irony survivors often face: in order to seek justice, they must repeatedly relive their trauma during legal proceedings. “To get justice, you've to go through it (pain)… there's an absurdity and irony within the system,” she said, referencing a line in the film: “They won't let you forget this.”
The film also stars Taapsee Pannu as Parima’s lawyer, alongside a powerful ensemble cast including Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Revathy. Veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Supriya Pathak appear in special roles. Assi is produced by T-Series and Benaras Mediaworks.
Known for choosing layered and unconventional roles, Kani has previously earned acclaim for performances in All We Imagine as Light, Biryaani, and the series Maharani, as well as films like Cocktail and Kerala Cafe. She was most recently seen in Killer Soup, Poacher and Nagendran's Honeymoons.
With Assi, Kani Kusruti continues her streak of meaningful cinema, taking on a role that not only demands emotional depth but also sparks urgent conversations about sexual violence and systemic challenges faced by survivors.
