Hisaab Barabar Movie Review: Madhavan's Film Fails To Deliver Despite A Strong Message

Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter India

Financial fraud and scams seem to be the trending storyline nowadays. With a gripping plot, high stakes, and morally complex characters, these stories dive deep into the intriguing world where power struggles, immense fortunes, and catastrophic losses intertwine. With alluring wealth and the danger that could probably ruin people's lives, it seems to be the favorite among viewers. With R Madhavan, Kriti Kulhari, and Neil Nitin Mukesh staring in lead roles Hisaab Barabar is out to watch. The film is watched and here is my review of the Ashwini Dhar directorial.

Plot of Hisaab Barabar

Radhe Mohan (R Madhavan) is an honest and hard-working ticket collector who works in railways. Since he loves numbers he loves to keep track of everything and keeps a fair balance even in his personal life. One day he discovers a small discrepancy of Rs.27.50 in his bank account. His investigation of this minor error led him to find a major scam worth Rs.2,400 crores orchestrated by a powerful banker Mickey Mehta (Neil Nitin Mukesh). With this startling discovery, his life begins to turn upside down. This soon turns into a one-man fight against the corrupt system with a determination to expose the truth and bring justice to all the people who have been wronged.

However, this seems to be an extremely difficult task with Mickey Mehta in his way. He is not the person who lets go of anyone who comes in his own way. With political connections and influence, he tries his best to not let Radhe win this fight. What becomes a fight soon turns into Radhe losing everything including his self-respect in front of his own son. But will Radhe still have the courage to fight and expose the truth or is he going to succumb to his own fate? Well for that you need to watch it soon.

Script and Direction

Ashwin Dhir who is often known for his scripts and dialogues in films like One Two Three and Chup Chup Ke has failed to craft a seamless narrative. With its uneven pacing and scenes dragging one after another it seems the film lacks tight storytelling. Even though the film tries to highlight the lead character's urgency to highlight the situation it seems the execution does not fully capture the emergency of the same.

Even though the script tackles a familiar yet important theme that focuses on the struggles of the common man against a corrupt and bureaucratic system. The concept has the potential to resonate with the viewers the screenplay fails to build the tension or impact to make it eventful. The narrative unfolds predictably with a mix of humor infused in it but fails to find a balance between the serious political drama. The dialogues tend to build the frustration of the protagonist but still come across as cliche and lack the sharpness required to build a gripping drama.

Despite these issues, the director does succeed in bringing out some strong performances, particularly from R. Madhavan, whose portrayal of the protagonist holds the film together. However, the overall impact of the movie is dampened by the lack of a compelling and tightly woven script, which ultimately affects the director's ability to create a truly gripping experience.

Cast and Their Performances

Even though the film falters in some parts you can still watch this one a shot for R Madhavan. He truly is the heart of the film. He portrays a range of emotions from frustrations to confrontations with much authenticity. He does make it seem all real and easy to believe in. Kirti Kulhari, as the protagonist’s lawyer and support, brings a much-needed sense of clarity and determination to the story. Her character represents a blend of intellect and empathy, aiding support to Madhavan's fight. Kulhari’s restrained yet impactful performance adds depth to the narrative, even though her character doesn’t get the development it deserves. Neil Nitin Mukesh plays the role of a corrupt officer who is ready to win the fight against any odds. He is not your usual antagonist who smokes, has a long beard, and is ready to put up a show of violence. Well, sometimes a villain like this is always welcome. He does his best with the script given but the plot does not give him the complexity to make his role a memorable one.

Final Verdict

Hisaab Barabar delivers an important message about resilience, justice, and the fight against the corrupt system but its potential is hindered by the weak script and its uneven execution. While the performances particularly by R Madhavan, Kriti Kulhari, and Neil Nitin Mukesh do add to the depth of the story but can do only so much to elevate the story it lacks pacing and engagement with the viewers. The screenplay feels predictable and dialogues that fail to resonate as strongly as they should.

Despite all this, the film's underlying theme of standing up against what's right does hold value for those interested in the story of persistence. However, if you are looking for a strong and gripping high-value drama then this one surely does not deliver the much-needed impact.