'I worked harder on losing weight than acting': Kumud Mishra on his intense transformation for Taapsee Pannu starrer 'Assi'

Stepping beyond familiar territory is never easy, even for seasoned performers like Kumud Mishra. The actor recently revealed how he challenged himself for Anubhav Sinha’s upcoming film ‘Assi’. Although he shares a long-standing creative bond with the filmmaker, this particular role initially made him hesitant, pushing him far outside his comfort zone before he finally agreed to take it on.

Director Anubhav Sinha had a different vision

Kumud Mishra shared that he would rarely turn down a project by Sinha, yet the director never assumes his participation. Instead, he sends scripts and lets the actor choose. For ‘Assi’, Mishra selected a part he felt suited him, but the director had something entirely different planned. According to Mid-Day, recalling their exchange, the actor said, “But he had something else in his mind for me. He gave me a character that I felt was not for me at all. I thought it belonged to someone else. But he said, ‘Aap karenge aur uske liye aapko tayyar hona hoga’.” (You will do it, and you will have to prepare yourself for it).

Physical transformation added pressure

Even after agreeing, doubts lingered. Mishra explained that the character demanded a specific physicality he did not initially possess. Preparing for the role meant an intense transformation within a short window.

Mishra admitted, “Every character has a look. Your physique should be closer to that of the character. So, I didn’t feel I was ready for this role.” With barely two months to prepare, he focused heavily on weight loss. “First I said yes but then I got scared if I would be able to pull it off. I feel in this film, I worked harder on losing weight than on acting,” he laughs.

Reunion with Taapsee Pannu

Working again with Taapsee Pannu turned out to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the shoot. Having collaborated multiple times before, Mishra noted that their familiarity brought both ease and creative confidence to the set. Speaking about her, he said, “Her honesty towards her work is terrific. When you have worked with someone several times, you develop a comfort factor and surety that you will be able to create something good.”

A long creative partnership with Anubhav Sinha

‘Assi’ marks yet another collaboration between Kumud Mishra and Anubhav Sinha. The duo has previously delivered powerful performances together in films like 'Mulk', 'Thappad', 'Anek', and 'Bheed'. Their continued partnership has often explored socially relevant themes, making ‘Assi’ one of the most anticipated additions to their work. The movie is slated to release on February 20, 2026.

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