R. Madhavan’s latest comedy “Hisaab Barabar” on Zee5, attempts to highlight a common man’s battle against banking fraud. It is supposedly satire and drama, sprinkled with a bit of romance. But does it give you a fair return on your time, or do you end up feeling cheated? Let’s find out.
Storyline
Radhe Mohan Sharma, a railway ticketing inspector, is very sharp at numbers. A former CA aspirant, he doesn’t just tally the accounts for his daily train collection but also helps others manage their business accounts. His life takes an unexpected turn when he notices a discrepancy—a monumental Rs. 27.50 missing from his bank account.
What starts as reporting a small accounting error soars into a full-blown crusade, as the bank initially dismisses him, offering a small gift to pacify him, but Radhe smells something fishy and probes further. Determined to expose the scam, he goes up against the eccentric and shady bank owner, Mickey Mehta, who believes he’s too big to be touched. Meanwhile, Radhe unknowingly falls for a regular passenger, who later turns out to be a cop with an old grudge of her own.
Will Radhe succeed in his mission of exposing the fraudulent bank, or will Mickey ensure he is “settled” for good?
Our critique
The premise of Hisaab Barabar is no doubt interesting—it sheds light on how a bank can drain off small amounts from millions of unsuspecting customers. But what could have been a gripping satire quickly turns into a tedious watch, with the narrative never taking off. The film wastes too much time on slapstick moments and trivial incidents, making Radhe’s crusade feel less like a battle for justice and drags on to fill the time with a predicable plot.
Weak dialogues and mediocre execution further dilute the film’s impact. The direction and editing lack finesse, making the 2-hour runtime feel like 4. Even the music and cinematography do little to enhance the experience.
Screen Performances
R. Madhavan, as always, brings sincerity to his role, but even his charm cannot overcome the effect of a weak script. Kirti Kulhari has a strong screen presence, but her character lacks depth, leaving her with little to do. Neil Nitin Mukesh, as the cartoonish villain Mickey Mehta, over-acts his way through the role, making him annoying. The supporting cast is just about OK, with no standout performances. That includes Rashmi Desai who is visible for a couple of inconsequential scenes.
Overall opinion
“Hisaab Barabar” sets up an interesting concept but delivers an underwhelming experience. While Madhavan does his bit, the lack of a gripping plot and weak dialogues make it an avoidable watch.
Our rating
