Hisaab Barabar

Madhavan's Railway to Redemption Has Delays, But Reaches Its Destination!

Ashwni Dhir's Hisaab Barabar starts brilliantly, with Madhavan delivering a cracking performance as a ticket collector who accidentally becomes a corporate whistleblower. The chap's got that everyman charm down pat... think his 3 Idiots days but with more righteous indignation and fewer engineering jokes.

The film's opening act is genuinely engaging, setting up a David-versus-Goliath tale that promises proper thrills. Madhavan anchors proceedings with his trademark blend of bumbling determination and moral clarity, making even the dodgiest dialogue sound almost profound.

Sadly, director Dhir can't quite maintain the momentum. What begins as focused storytelling gradually descends into tonal confusion-part social commentary, part melodrama, with comic relief that lands about as gracefully as a derailed train. Neil Nitin Mukesh hams it up deliciously as the corporate villain, whilst Preity Kulhari remains criminally underused.

The technical elements are workmanlike rather than inspired, but Madhavan's committed performance elevates material that could have been thoroughly mediocre. It's formulaic filmmaking with genuine heart, rather like a delayed train that eventually gets you where you need to go.

Rating: 7/10 (including 1 extra point purely for Madhavan making earnestness look effortless)

Some movies have a novel concept but suffer from poor execution and this is one such example. Director Ashwani Dhir has written and directed good comedies like " Son of sardar" and " Atithi tum kab jaoge" and so this movie is truly disappointing. Since the movie is poorly structured and has a weak narrative even Madhavan has not been able to make it absorbing enough. The plot is about an ordinary railway ticket collector who is good in accounting and who discovers an error in his bank account showing that a small amount has been siphoned off. He takes up with the bank, relentlessly pursues this and finds that this irregularity is only a tip of the iceberg. His personal safety is in jeopardy as he takes on the establishment exposing a scam of huge proportions. ( After seeing this movie it is possible that some account holders may have examined their bank transactions in detail.) One only wishes that the screenplay was more coherent and had more focus. Presently it is lackluster, not at all convincing and hence the movie is not able to connect with the audience. Madhavan does try to make things work but doesn't succeed. Priti Kulhari doesn't impress in an indifferently presented character. Neil Nitin Mukesh as a quirky boss of the bank has overdone it and hammed his way through. He is reduced to a caricature.

R. Madhavan's Hisaab Barabar falls short of expectations, delivering a story that feels overly simplistic despite an interesting premise. While the topic had potential, the execution lacked depth, with no intense drama or gripping moments to keep viewers hooked. The film suffers from a flat narrative and minimal emotional impact, making it feel more like a casual watch than a memorable experience. R. Madhavan sir, known for his exceptional performances in films like 3 Idiots, Rocketry, Saala Khadoos, and the web series like Breathe, couldn't elevate the lackluster storytelling in Hisaab Barabar. It's a one-time watch at best, deserving a 4/10 for effort but leaving much to be desired in terms of engagement and impact.

Tone, Script & Story: A travelling ticket examiner who is good at accounts discovers fraudulent nature of a bank where bank loots public by taking miniscule amounts from accounts which are created in bank.

When I first find the trailer I expected more, I expected more from story may it be the exposure of crime, how it is brought to justice or may it be the love life involving Kriti. Also, the story takes time to get to the subject during its runtime.

Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: The station, the account calculation, the neighbor's, the account holders, the bank, the residences, the office, etc has been captured well. It's the story which lacks. Music is below average. Acting is justified.

Final Verdict: The movie has been released on OTT. Do support it.

Wached it for Madhvan, but what an absolute waste. Childish style of story telling. Madhavan's honesty is the only saving grace.

The movie stops being entertaining beyond the first half an hour till they are establishing Madhavan character and the plot unveils. The masala movie treatment of realistic plot with honest intentions of actors is absolutely cringe worthy. All the other characters beyond Madhavan are mere caricatures, specially Neil Nitin Mukesh was looking like a joker right through. Songs are just for effect too.

I only wish Madhavan and the cast were used for a more honest effort of story telling.

For Madhavan, I will rather watch The Railway Man once again.