Hisaab Barabar sets up an intriguing premise: Radhe Mohan Sharma (R. Madhavan), a brilliant yet unassuming ticket collector, gets tangled in the schemes of a corrupt banker. On paper, the mix of a relatable protagonist and a high-stakes scam could have worked wonders. But in execution, the film falters, largely due to its uneven tone and caricatured villain.
Madhavan’s portrayal of Radhe is the film’s highlight. As a single father and a math genius, he effortlessly carries the role with charm and sincerity. His interactions with Kirti Kulhari’s no-nonsense cop add warmth to the story, especially their witty banter about oranges and their shared history. While Madhavan looks slightly older than the role demands, his performance is consistently engaging. Kulhari, too, brings a grounded appeal to her character.
However, the film loses its footing with Neil Nitin Mukesh’s Mickey Mehta, a cartoonish bank owner orchestrating a giant scam. Every time Mehta appears, the narrative takes a nosedive into over-the-top theatrics, disrupting the story’s potential for depth and tension.
While Hisaab Barabar hints at being a promising rom-com or thriller, its inability to balance these elements leaves it struggling to find its footing, despite Madhavan’s efforts to keep it afloat.
