Synopsis
While ‘Hisaab Barabar’ deserves credit for highlighting a relevant social issue, it falters in its storytelling and execution.
Hisaab Barabar Review : A relevant message let down by uneven execution
Critic’s Rating: 3.0/5
Story: A lone man’s fight against a corrupt banking system is at the heart of ‘Hisaab Barabar.’ Radhe Mohan Sharma (R. Madhavan), a meticulous ticket collector with Indian Railways, finds himself duped by his bank over a seemingly minor discrepancy. But Radhe’s knack for detail leads him to uncover a massive scam worth crores. Can one common man bring down a powerful bank?
Review: At its core, ‘Hisaab Barabar’ taps into a very relatable issue—how small acts of negligence or exploitation can add up to something monumental. Director Ashwni Dhir drives home the importance of paying attention to these ‘little’ wrongdoings, highlighting how they can snowball into systemic scams. The premise is thought-provoking, particularly for India’s middle class, which often lets such discrepancies slide due to sheer busyness.
However, the execution falls disappointingly short. The first half struggles with a meandering screenplay, circling the same points without making meaningful progress. The film attempts to balance humor with the seriousness of its subject but stumbles badly—jokes fail to land, and the loud, cartoonish background score only detracts further.
The characters are unfortunately one-dimensional. R. Madhavan delivers a dependable performance as the righteous and determined Radhe, carrying the film on his shoulders. Kirti Kulhari’s portrayal oscillates between vulnerability and strength, but her character lacks consistency. Neil Nitin Mukesh, as the eccentric and scheming bank owner Micky Mehta, neither evokes laughter nor fear, while Rashmi Desai as Mona Lisa, Radhe’s pesky neighbor, adds little value to the narrative.
The music is entirely forgettable, doing nothing to enhance the film’s impact. The lack of nuance in both the screenplay and the direction dulls what could have been a sharp, socially relevant drama.
While ‘Hisaab Barabar’ deserves credit for highlighting a relevant social issue, it falters in its storytelling and execution. The thought-provoking message is overshadowed by caricatured characters, uneven pacing, and uninspired humor. A missed opportunity to deliver a compelling drama.
News Credits: Times of India
