The Rani Fund And Khaitan & Co Take Conversations On Justice Beyond The Courtroom With Assi Screening

Cinema has the power to open up conversations that are often difficult to have, bringing to life stories and systems in a way that informs, moves, and inspires action. Creating space for such dialogue, The Rani Fund, in collaboration with Khaitan & Co, India’s leading law firm, hosted an exclusive screening of ASSI followed by a panel discussion at PVR Director’s Cut, Vasant Kunj on March 27, 2026.

The Rani Fund, an initiative of Sandhuro Rani Bijli Trust, which began as a response to the pandemic, has since evolved into a platform that brings people together around important social conversations. With a focus on creating warm and thoughtful spaces, it seeks to foster dialogue rooted in care, respect, and openness making conversations around films like ASSI both relevant and necessary.

ASSI, a powerful and thought-provoking film, holds up a mirror to the criminal justice system including its strengths, its gaps, and the experiences of those who engage with it. Screenings like these, followed by meaningful conversations, help audiences better understand ground realities, build empathy, and engage more deeply with issues that are often reduced to headlines.

Attended by over 100 lawyers, advocates and senior sectoral leaders, the evening brought together voices from law and civil society to reflect on justice, accountability, and the lived realities of survivors navigating complex systems. The panel featuring Justice Gita Mittal and Vrinda Grover, was moderated by Sukanya Hazarika, Director at Khaitan & Co. Drawing from their extensive experience, the panellists reflected on the need for more survivor-centric, accessible, and responsive systems, while also addressing the gap between legal intent and lived experience.

The discussion saw strong engagement from the audience, with participants noting how the film and panel together offered a deeper, more human understanding of justice systems and their impact.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Nayana Bijli, Founder Sandhuro Rani Bijli Trust said, “At Rani Fund, we believe cinema can open hearts and start conversations that truly matter. Through our work with children impacted by the pandemic, we see how systems shape lives in very real ways. ASSI brings these realities into focus, and platforms like this help us collectively reflect, question, and move towards more compassionate and responsive systems.”

Mr Sanjeev Kapoor, Senior Partner at Khaitan & Co said, “Initiatives like these are important as they shift the focus from legal theory to lived realities, prompting us to think beyond processes and consider how systems are experienced in practice. We were honoured to have Justice Gita Mittal and Ms Vrinda Grover share perspectives that added depth and meaning to the discussion.”

Mr Sahil Narang, Partner, Khaitan & Co added, “It is important to engage with issues that sit at the intersection of law and lived experience. This screening enabled a thoughtful dialogue on accountability, access and the realities faced by survivors. For us, it is equally about listening, reflecting and contributing to a more informed and empathetic discourse on justice. We are pleased to have partnered with The Rani Fund and PVR INOX to facilitate this exchange.”

The evening highlighted the importance of bringing together storytelling and lived experience to create awareness and inspire more informed, empathetic decision-making demonstrating how cinema, when combined with dialogue, can be a powerful tool for social understanding and change.