Jobaaj Stories
Hisaab Barabar brings together R. Madhavan and Neil Nitin Mukesh in a satirical thriller that tries to tackle corruption but ends up feeling more like a chore than an eye-opener. Directed by Ashwni Dhir, the movie has a promising premise but fails to deliver the punch it desperately aims for.
Plot Overview
Neil Nitin Mukesh plays Mickey Mehta, a flashy and eccentric politician who loves dramatic one-liners like “Common man is a donkey.” On the other hand, R. Madhavan stars as Radhe Mohan Sharma, a principled ticket collector and former CA aspirant who is obsessed with balancing numbers. Radhe even conducts math classes at a railway station, reinforcing his love for “LHS = RHS.”
Radhe’s knack for sniffing out financial irregularities leads him to uncover a major bank scam involving Mickey Mehta. The story revolves around his quest to expose the fraud while navigating a budding romance with Inspector Poonam Joshi (played by Kirti Kulhari). However, the repetitive use of the phrase “hisaab barabar” and an overly dramatic tone make the film feel forced and heavy-handed.
Performances
R. Madhavan plays his role with sincerity, but the script gives him little room to shine. Neil Nitin Mukesh does his best to infuse energy into his character, but the exaggerated quirks and poor dialogues make it hard to take him seriously. Kirti Kulhari, with her burgundy hair, adds a romantic subplot, but it feels underdeveloped. Rashami Desai’s attempt at humor as a babysitter also falls flat.
Also read, 5 OTT Releases This Week: From Hisaab Barabar to The Night Agent
Execution and Direction
Director Ashwni Dhir tries to hammer home the message about corruption and the “common man vs. the system” narrative. However, the over-the-top storytelling and lack of subtlety make the film a slog. The first 40 minutes are painfully slow, and by the time the main plot kicks in, it’s already predictable.
The constant repetition of “hisaab barabar” in dialogues, background music, and even as a whisper in the score makes the film grating. Instead of letting the audience connect the dots, the movie spoon-feeds its message, making it feel more like a lecture than an engaging story.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The film’s timing, given the growing number of scams and frauds in today’s world, is relevant. It attempts to highlight issues like corruption in politics and the banking sector, which could have resonated strongly. Unfortunately, its lack of subtlety, overuse of clichés, and weak storytelling undermine its potential.
While Hisaab Barabar has its heart in the right place, it misses the mark with its execution. The movie could have been a sharp, satirical critique of the corrupt systems we live in. Instead, it leaves viewers wishing they had bunked this math class altogether.
Verdict: A well-intentioned but poorly executed film that fails to add up. Skip it unless you’re a die-hard fan of the cast.
