It is a known truth that no matter how stellar the cast or interesting the concept if the script and screenplay don’t click, the film’s a lost cause. A killer idea and powerhouse actors can only take a movie so far, but it is always the writing that does wonders. In a similar vein, you can have R. Madhavan delivering heartfelt and emotional dialogues and Neil Nitin Mukesh trying to be a cunning villain but if their characters aren’t backed by tight storytelling, it all falls flat. Like a dish, Ashwini Dhar’s latest film “Hisaab Barabar” forgets all the necessary ingredients, and fails to click with the audience. The screenplay is sloppy and manages to derail what could’ve been a great OTT addition, rendering it a snooze fest.
The film tells the story of a regular guy trying to pull off something extraordinary. At the heart of it is R. Madhavan’s character, Radhe Mohan, a TT in the Indian Railways. Unlike many others, Radhe takes his job seriously and prides himself on being honest. One day, while going through his passbook, Radhe notices small amounts being deducted from his bank account—and from countless others—in the name of SMS and bank fees. This discovery sets him on a mission to uncover a massive financial scam, masterminded by Mickey Mehta, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh.
The film’s concept is definitely fascinating, but the execution misses the mark. The biggest issue is the pacing, most of the time it is too fast and uneven, leaving the audience feeling disconnected. There aren’t enough scenes showing Radhe uncovering the scam, which is the juice of the story. Instead, we get a bunch of unnecessary scenes that don’t really add value. If those had been swapped out for moments that dove deeper into Radhe and Mickey’s characters, the story would’ve felt much more engaging and connected.
The film starts off slow, taking its time to set up the characters, but then the last 20-25 minutes suddenly gain pace. The climax feels rushed, and by doing this, the film completely misses the depth and punch it needs, and ends up feeling flat and bland. On top of that, there’s no subplot or twist to keep things interesting. So, it’s pretty safe to say you can predict what’s going to happen at every turn. That said, the core message of the film is solid. It’s great that a story like this can remind everyday people to pay closer attention to their finances and even question those tiny deductions from their bank accounts.
Except for Radhe Mohan, most of the characters are pretty poorly written. Even Neil Nitin Mukesh’s Mickey Mehta, the main villain, feels hollow and lacks the intimidation factor you’d expect. That’s a big miss, especially for a character running a massive scam worth thousands of crores. Take “Sarkaru Vaari Paata” (2022), for example. Its villain, played by Samuthirakani, was absolutely terrifying—exactly what you’d expect from someone pulling the strings of a financial scam. If Mickey Mehta’s character had been given more depth, layers, and personality, the film would’ve been much more interesting.
The hero-villain chemistry is practically non-existent here. Most of the time, it feels like Radhe and Mickey belong to two entirely different worlds, with no real connection or tension between them. Their interactions are minimal, and even those lack spark or impact, they are what you call bland and forgettable. In one scene, Mickey gets out of his fancy car, surrounds Radhe with his men, and lays out some empty threats that don’t intimidate anyone. The villain just doesn’t deliver on the fear or excitement you’d expect. Neil Nitin Mukesh is a fantastic actor with an impressive track record, but the screenplay completely fails to tap into his potential.
The film beings a great cast, including R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and more. Everyone does well with what they’ve been given. Kirti Kulhari plays the role of a middle-aged cop sharing an age-appropriate romance with R. Madhavan, a true highlight of the film. Her chemistry with Madhavan feels natural and never forced. In fact, their scenes together often carry the weight of this otherwise average film. Rashami Desai also makes an impression, even with her limited role and screen time. Her comedic timing and rural accent add a much-needed spark, making it hard to skip through her scenes, even if you’re tempted to fast-forward to the climax.
The film also features Yogesh Tripathi, a well-known face in Indian rom-coms, but it completely misses the chance to explore his comedic brilliance. His role is reduced to a small supporting character and a bystander, which feels like a massive wasted opportunity. The film tries to throw in some humor here and there, but it falls flat mainly because it doesn’t fully use Yogesh’s comedic timing and wit. If his character had been given more screen time and depth, it could’ve added a whole new layer of fun and made the movie much more exciting to watch.
Ashwini Dhar is a big name in the industry, having given us hits like Office Office, One Two Three, and Lapataganj but his latest film Hisab Barabar, doesn’t quite feel like his usual project. The writing falls short, and while there’s comedy, it feels weak and unnecessary. The cast is good, but even they can’t save the film. The characters feel rushed and underdeveloped, which drags the whole thing down. There’s no real character growth, no twists or turns to keep you hooked. Basically, there’s nothing that gives the audience a reason to stick around or even bother streaming it.
The core message of the film is definitely something worth talking about. It talks about a real-world issue—how some banks (not all) scam people by deducting tiny amounts from accounts, hoping no one will notice or speak up since the sums are so small. The film aims to change that, and it’s safe to say it could spark some awareness. Even though the film has its share of flaws and moments where it falls flat, it’s still an interesting watch with a solid message that makes you think twice about those sneaky deductions from your bank account.
![Fiebre Austral (Austral Fever) [2019]: ‘Venice’ Review- An Ode to The Inexplicable Feelings](https://www.highonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/fiebre-austral-768x512.jpg)
