Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has spoken out about Bollywood’s obsession with box office numbers, calling them “good gossip” rather than true indicators of a film’s worth. His comments come ahead of the release of his latest courtroom drama, Assi, starring Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti.
Sinha believes that the focus on opening weekend collections, lifetime earnings, and gross figures has gone too far. In a recent interview, he stated that he wants to avoid publicising Assi’s box office performance entirely. “If I could, I wouldn’t announce my numbers, no matter how good or bad,” he said, emphasising that audiences often misunderstand what the figures actually mean.
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Why Anubhav Sinha Is Against Sharing Box Office Numbers
Sinha explained that box office numbers are often misleading. He said that most people do not understand the difference between gross worldwide, gross India, and net India figures. According to him, producers receive less than half of the reported numbers, making claims of ₹400 crore, ₹700 crore, or ₹800 crore “aspirational” rather than factual.
He expressed frustration that films are often evaluated based solely on these figures rather than their storytelling or social impact. “The numbers are good gossip. I hope the audience gets it,” he added. He even mentioned that he would fight “tooth and nail” to avoid having box office results or star ratings overshadow the film’s message.
About the Film ‘Assi’
Assi is inspired by the grim reality of 80 rape cases reportedly registered daily in India. The film follows a lawyer, played by Taapsee Pannu, as she fights to secure justice for a survivor, portrayed by Kani Kusruti. The courtroom drama highlights social issues while balancing emotional and dramatic storytelling.
The film also features Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Supriya Pathak, and Manoj Pahwa, with cameo appearances from Naseeruddin Shah and Divya Dutta. Produced by T-Series, the film is positioned as a hard-hitting story in contrast to more commercial releases.
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Box Office Clash With Do Deewane Seher Mein
Assi’s release coincides with Do Deewane Seher Mein, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur, creating an interesting contrast between a social drama and a romantic entertainer. While Assi tackles real-world issues and courtroom battles, Do Deewane focuses on romance and lighter themes.
Despite this competition, Anubhav Sinha remains confident in the audience’s appetite for socially relevant cinema. He noted that viewers are waiting for films like Assi, not just for entertainment but for meaningful stories that reflect society.
Anubhav Sinha’s stance against highlighting box office numbers underlines a larger conversation in Bollywood: films should be judged by their content and impact, not just earnings. With its strong performances and bold theme, Assi aims to make a mark, irrespective of the numbers reported in the media.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
