'Assi' director Anubhav Sinha is keen to make a film set in pre-Independence India: 'It was an outstanding phase'

With his Taapsee Pannu-led film 'Assi' now streaming on OTT, director Anubhav Sinha has wasted no time moving forward. The filmmaker has already written two new stories, is working on a third, and plans to write a fourth during an upcoming break, hinting at an action film, a 1940s historical drama, and even a return to romance.Anubhav Sinha told Mid-day that ideas have been flowing freely since 'Assi' released in February. "I have written two stories so far and am starting the third one. Then I am going for a chhutti, where I will write my fourth," he said.While he stayed tight-lipped about the specifics, the director did share the broad genres pulling at his creative instincts.One recurring attraction for Sinha is the action genre, territory he last explored with 'Dus' in 2005. "I keep getting attracted every now and then to make a cool action film," he admitted.Historical dramas are equally high on his wishlist, particularly stories set in India during the 1940s. A recent read has only deepened that pull. "There are so many films I want to make set in India of the 1940s. It was an outstanding phase. I finished reading The Case for India by Will Durant, who visited the country in the 1930s. It's a beautiful book. After finishing it, I thought to myself, 'There are so many films in this'," he shared.Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the film features Taapsee Pannu in the lead role. The cast also includes Kani Kusruti, Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Satyajit Sharma. The movie was released in theaters on February 20, 2026. The court room drama received mixed response from the audience. The movie is currently streaming on Zee5.