Movie Details and Background
Title:
Hisaab Barabar
Director:
Ashwni Dhir
Producers:
Zee Studios, Pen Studios
Writer:
Ashwni Dhir
Music Composer:
Aman Pant
Cinematographer:
M. Sukumar
Editor:
Manan Sagar
Languages:
Hindi
Genre:
Satirical Action Comedy
Duration:
2 hours 18 minutes
Release Date:
January 24, 2025
Budget:
₹70 crore
Box Office Collection:
₹25 crore (first weekend)
Background
And “Hisaab Barabar” promised to deliver a new angle on financial fraud by turning to satire, combining action and comedy with social commentary. Helmed by Ashwni Dhir, who is better known for his breezy comedies such as "Son of Sardaar" and "Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?", this film promised a gripping yet sardonic take on corruption in the Indian financial system. Starring R. Madhavan in the lead, the movie was marketed to be an entertainer with a strong message, but did it manage to do so? Let’s find out.
Plot Overview
Radhe Mohan Sharma (R. Madhavan), an honest railway ticket examiner, leads a simple life. One day he notices a small difference in his bank account balance. What starts as a typical banking blunder quickly escalates into a broader mystery when Radhe uncovers evidence of thousands of people being unwitting victims of digital fraud. The truth he is deciphering links him to the high-profile banker Micky Mehta (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a conniving tycoon who uses the banking system for his profit.
It turns out to be difficult for Radhe when he digs deeper, running into red tape, threats, and even personal attacks at every turn. With the assistance of Inspector Priya (Kirti Kulhari), a no-nonsense cop with a personal stake in bringing Micky Mehta down, Radhe investigates the scam. But can a mere mortal man bring down a billionaire with contacts at the highest levels?
Cast Performances
R. Madhavan as Radhe Mohan Sharma
Madhavan is solid and makes Radhe’s character relatable as well as engaging. His depiction of a regular guy pulled into an exceptional circumstance is credible, even if the script doesn’t always provide him enough business to shine.
Neil Nitin Mukesh as Micky Mehta
Mukesh’s over-the-top performance as the flamboyant, ruthless banker is wrong. His broad mannerisms echo the film’s satirical tone but also suffer from inconsistency in convincing us of the character’s credibility.
Kirti Kulhari as Investigative Priya
Kulhari makes a bright spot in her role in the film. She adds an intensity and realism that the story desperately needs, playing an unstoppable cop who’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with powerful men.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes veteran actors such as Kumud Mishra and Rajesh Sharma, who deliver strong performances as Radhe’s enforcers in the battle against corruption. Nevertheless, their characters feel underwritten.
Direction and Screenplay
Ashwni Dhir attempts a comedy-crime thriller fusion, but the mood's a failure. The film goes back and forth between satire, action, and emotional drama, often losing its way. The screenplay, though filled with interesting ideas, does not have the sharpness of a compelling satirical thriller. The humor — which should have been the film’s greatest asset — misses the mark in a lot of places.
There are also pacing issues — some sequences drag on when they shouldn’t, and others are truncated. With a more polished script and tighter editing, this could have been a much better film.
Cinematography and Editing
M. Sukumar’s cinematography evokes the urban frenzy of Delhi effectively, especially the railway stations and busy financial parts of the city. The visuals set a gritty tone, but it is all rather underwhelming.
Manan Sagar’s editing could have been crisper. Certain scenes seem to be stretched beyond reason, and the sudden shifts in tone are jarring enough to make it hard to remain invested. A tighter narrative might have made the film even more powerful.
Music and Soundtrack
Aman Pant’s music is in keeping with that satirical vibe, but none of the tracks register. The background score does help to build up the tension in one or two sequences, but sometimes the background score is not according to the situation, and it disturbs the film's rhythm.
Critical Reception
The film garnered mixed-to-negative reviews from critics:
The Indian Express
Rating: 1.5/5
“The premise could work, but the execution is strained and awkward. What should have been a scathing satire settles for a half-baked comedy that can’t land its jokes.”
Rediff.com
Rating: 2/5
“An insubstantial drama that stretches a credit card joke too far while covering financial fraud.“ The film is vague and not sharp enough to carry any weight.”
The New Indian Express
Rating: 1.5/5
“After an intriguing start, the film settles into dull, plodding comedy. The comedy is clumsy, and the satire is toothless.”
Audience Reception
The reaction had been mixed among viewers, with some appreciating the attempt at political satire while others found the results underwhelming:
“The concept was good; the execution was messy,” one user wrote. Madhavan was the only saving grace,”
Many audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes echoed similar sentiments, maintaining an overall “underwhelming” rating. Many believed the premise was served poorly by its film.
Final Verdict
“Hisaab Barabar” is attempting a satire in the form of a thriller but fails to be the perfect balance of comedy and drama. R. Madhavan gives a sincere performance, and Kirti Kulhari lends it some depth, but the film is hampered by a lackluster screenplay and weak execution.
Pros:
✔ The performance of R. Madhavan
✔ Compelling premise with topical relevance
✔ Kirti Kulhari shines in her brief role.
Cons:
✘ Tone that toggles between satire and drama
✘ Poorly written script with flat characters
✘ An uninspired joke that didn’t land
Rating: 2/5
Should You Watch It?
Satirical takes on corruption, if that’s what you’re after with R. Madhavan, have redeeming moments. But if you’re in search of a tightly written thriller or a pointed satire, this one may let you down.
Overall, "Hisaab Barabar" had the great ingredients to be a remarkable film but unfortunately failed to deliver with weak execution.
It’s a lost opportunity that could have been so much more with a sharper script and crisper direction.
