Writer Gaurav Solanki Sets Pay Benchmark on Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Assi’

In a rare move that has sparked conversation across the Hindi film industry, writer Gaurav Solanki has emerged as the highest paid crew member on filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s upcoming film Assi, a distinction publicly highlighted by the makers themselves.

The film’s first poster, released on social media earlier this week, carried an unusual tagline: “Believe it or not, the highest paid crew member on this film is the writer.” The line quickly drew attention, signalling a shift in how creative contributions are being valued in mainstream cinema.

Reacting to the development, Solanki said the recognition was “long overdue” and could set a new benchmark for writers in the industry. “For years, writers have remained behind the scenes despite being central to storytelling. This acknowledgment is not just personal, it’s symbolic,” he said.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, known for content-driven films that foreground strong writing, Assi is expected to revolve around contemporary social themes, though details of the project are being kept under wraps.

Industry observers say the move could encourage fairer compensation structures for writers, who often receive a fraction of what leading actors and technicians earn.

With Assi, Sinha and his team appear to be making a statement: that in a story-led film, the writer stands at the very top of the creative hierarchy.