A still from ‘Hisaab Barabar’
Ashwni Dhir’s film, Hisaab Barabar, is a comedy that feels a bit lackluster. It tells the story of Radhe Mohan Sharma, played by R Madhavan, a ticket inspector in the Indian Railways. Radhe is detail-oriented and spends hours checking his bank statements for errors. When he discovers a small but puzzling discrepancy of ₹27.50, he decides to take action by complaining to the bank.
His complaint doesn’t go smoothly. The bank staff first pretend they don’t know what he’s talking about. When Radhe persists, they try to placate him with useless gifts. Frustrated but determined, he digs deeper and uncovers a troubling trend: the bank has been quietly stealing small amounts from many customers, which adds up to a staggering total. This discovery turns Radhe into an unwitting hero of sorts.
Things heat up when Radhe clashes with the bank’s greedy owner, Micky Mehta, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh. The film also adds a love story, featuring Kirti Kulhari as an honest police officer who becomes Radhe’s romantic interest.
Hisaab Barabar (Hindi)
Director: Ashwni Dhir
Cast: R Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh
Run-time: 111 minutes
Storyline: An ordinary ticket inspector takes on a corrupt banking system.
The film touches on important issues like the challenges citizens face when confronting corrupt practices. It highlights problems like intimidation of activists and the murky transparency of the banking system. However, the satire remains superficial, leaving the impact diluted.
Some moments are overly obvious, with symbols that feel forced, like the misspelling of ‘Republic Week’ as ‘Republic Weak’. Despite this, Madhavan makes the most of his role and seems to have fun with it. Kirti Kulhari shines but deserves better opportunities, while Neil Nitin Mukesh’s performance feels outdated.
Compared to classics like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Hisaab Barabar feels less poignant and lacks the sharp wit of great political satire. It offers a glimpse into the struggles of the Indian middle class but ultimately leans into a feel-good message that seems superficial.
Hisaab Barabar is now available for streaming on ZEE5.
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