‘Please don’t cast me’: 'Assi' actress Kani Kusruti makes an earnest plea, explains she 'still thinks in Malayalam'

Kani Kusruti, who earned international acclaim with Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’, recently stepped into Hindi cinema with Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Assi’, a gripping courtroom drama. In the film, she essays the role of Parima, a rape survivor from New Delhi fighting for justice with the help of her lawyer Raavi, portrayed by Taapsee Pannu. Speaking recently in an interview, Kani reflected on the challenges of working in a new language, the changing atmosphere for women within Malayalam film sets, and her thoughts on stories rooted in street justice and revenge.

Kani Kusruti opens up about her language barrier in Bollywood

In a conversation with SCREEN, Kani opened up about why she hasn’t been seen in many Hindi films lately. The regional actress shared, “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. 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 growth

Anubhav Sinha’s film ‘Assi’ is doing steadily at the box office and has made over Rs 5 crore in five days. The movie has been praised for showing the serious issue of rising sexual violence against women. According to Sacnilk, ‘Assi’ earned Rs 70 lakh on both its fourth and fifth days, with no big jump during the weekdays. It started with Rs 1 crore on the first day and did well over the weekend, making Rs 1.6 crore each on Saturday and Sunday. So far, the film’s total collection has reached Rs 5.6 crore.

Taapsee Pannu and Anubhav Sinha in their third project together

‘Assi’ marks the third collaboration between Taapsee Pannu and director Anubhav Sinha, following ‘Mulk’ (2018) and ‘Thappad’ (2020). The film tells the story of a woman from Delhi who fights for justice after a horrific sexual assault. It also features an impressive ensemble cast including Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Revathi, Manoj Pahwa, Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Pahwa.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”