Star Cast: R Madhavan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kirti Kulhari, Rashami Desai
Director: Ashwni Dhir
What’s Good: The intriguing concept
What’s Bad: Poor execution
Loo Break: Anytime you feel like it
Watch or Not?: A one-time watch
Language: Hindi
Available On: Zee 5
Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes
Some movies don’t blow you away with every frame, but they manage to keep you engaged just enough. They may not be masterpieces, yet you might remember them in casual conversation someday. Hisaab Barabar fits this category — it has potential but ultimately fails to deliver fully.
R Madhavan plays a ticket collector who tries to educate a group of youngsters about finances on a railway platform. The story revolves around his discovery of a bank scam, but the film loses its way with misplaced humor and disjointed storytelling.
Script Analysis:
Madhavan portrays Radhe Mohan Sharma, a common man and railway ticket collector. His journey begins with a minor issue in his bank account but quickly escalates into a battle against a larger financial scam worth 2400 crore. Unfortunately, what starts as a promising plot becomes unfocused, turning into a slapstick comedy instead of a sharp satire.
The script’s uneven tone and ill-timed jokes make it difficult to take the story seriously. Madhavan’s character could have been compelling, but the film doesn’t do justice to his struggle, and unnecessary scenes dilute the impact of the narrative.
Star Performances:
Rashami Desai and Kirti Kulhari have underdeveloped roles that don’t add much to the plot. Kirti’s transition from Madhavan’s love interest to an investigator feels forced, and Neil Nitin Mukesh’s portrayal of the villain is exaggerated and unconvincing.
Madhavan does his best to carry the film, but his character is bogged down by a weak script. His earnest performance can’t save the story from feeling directionless.
Direction:
Ashwni Dhir starts with a strong premise but fails to maintain the momentum. His attempt to blend social commentary with lighthearted comedy falls flat, and the film’s scattered execution makes it feel like a missed opportunity. The comedic elements are overdone, detracting from the serious nature of the scam at the heart of the story.
Despite the film’s ambition to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, it leans too heavily on slapstick humor, which undermines the social message it’s trying to convey.
The Last Word:
Hisaab Barabar isn’t the best pick for a weekend movie night, but it could work as background noise during a family gathering. The film has moments of promise, but overall, it feels random and lacks focus. A good idea wasted on poor execution.
