Hisaab Barabar Movie Review: Good Performances Can’t Save R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari Starrer From Its Basic Premise!
Hisaab Barabar starring R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari and Neil Nitin Mukesh will be released on January 24 on Zee5! Here's our review.

Financial thrillers have surely become the audience’s favourites! With their high-stakes plots to morally grey characters, stories exploring the world of finance and its power struggles have resonated deeply with viewers. Another film in this genre is set to hit the small screens, Hisaab Barabar, starring R. Madhavan, Kirti Kulhari and Neil Nitin Mukesh in prominent roles. Well, the film has been watched, and here are my thoughts on the Ashwani Dhir directorial!
Plot Of Hisaab Barabar
Radhe Mohan is an honest and hard-working ticket collector for the Indian Railways. Since he loves numbers so much, he always wants everything to be fair and balanced, and so he keeps track of everything in his life.
One day, Radhe stumbles upon a shocking secret: massive financial fraud initiated by powerful banker Mickey Mehta. With this discovery, his life turns into a haywire. He starts a one-man mission against a corrupt system and is determined to expose the truth and bring justice to the innocent people who have been victimised.
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However, its not as easy as it seems. Mickey Mehta is not someone to whom anyone can fight easily—especially a common man. He uses his immense power and influence, and he’s not afraid to use it to silence anyone who stands in his way. As Mickey unleashes the full force of his power, Radhe’s life changes, and several obstacles occur. Will Radhe be able to overcome the obstacles in his path and succeed in bringing down the corrupt banker and exposing the truth? Sorry, no spoilers!
Performances
One can definitely give this film a shot because of R. Madhavan. He is truly the star of the film. His unique charm and earnest portrayal of the character are amazing! Madhavan makes it all seem natural and easy to believe in. Kirti Kulhari, another great actor in the film, also plays an important role. Thank god! While she doesn’t have a lot of screen time, she makes the most of every scene she’s in. Neil Nitin Mukesh really goes all out with his performance. His energy in the film is really entertaining and it’s also refreshing to see a villain who’s different from the usual type—you know, the ones who always have long beards, smoke a lot, and just want to cause violence. Lastly, a special mention for Rashami Desai, who adds a fun and quirky touch to the film. Her performance is natural, and she brings a genuine warmth to her character. Her interactions with R. Madhavan feel authentic, and I truly loved the vibe she brought to the film.
Verdict: Another Thriller That Misses The Mark
Modern thrillers have changed a lot. They used to be all about keeping you on the edge of your seat with scary moments. Now, they focus more on the feelings and the characters’ stories. But sometimes, this means the exciting parts are missing. The film might be predictable, or it might not make you really curious about what will happen next. So, thrillers these days are different, and sometimes they don’t give you the same kind of excitement they used to. While we enjoy the factors of emotional depth and character-driven narratives, the lack of genuine suspense results in my straight face. You know how much we love the unexpected twist that truly grips the audience; it often feels absent on films nowadays, and that’s what happened in the film as well.
While attempting to be a satirical financial thriller, the film unfortunately misses the mark in this regard. Despite strong performances from the cast and a decent score, the film struggles to maintain consistent engagement. Furthermore, the core premise, though entertaining at times, feels rather basic and predictable. Execution is surely to blame because it could have been the epitome of “simple is the best.” While the actors undoubtedly elevate the film as much as they can, the lack of genuinely thrilling twists and turns ultimately hampers the film’s impact and story. For the unversed, the film is releasing on January 24 on Zee5. Will you watch the film?
First Published: January 23, 2025 11:13 AM