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Hisaab Barabar review: R Madhavan’s strong performance can’t save the film

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R Madhavan in a still from 'Hisaab Barabar', reviewing his character’s battle against a corrupt bank.

Platform: Zee5
Genre: Drama
Director: Ashwni Dhir

In Ashwni Dhir’s latest directorial venture, Hisaab Barabar, the central theme revolves around a common man taking on an unjust system—an age-old concept that rarely fails to resonate with audiences. However, despite R Madhavan’s earnest portrayal of the protagonist, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative, falling short of its potential.

At the core of Hisaab Barabar is Radhe Mohan Sharma, an Indian Railways ticket examiner played by Madhavan. Sharma, a diligent single father, has an obsessive passion for numbers, a trait that propels him into a battle against a corrupt private bank. When he discovers a minor discrepancy of 27 rupees and 50 paise missing from his account, his seemingly simple quest for an explanation unravels into a larger conflict with Mickey Mehta (Neil Nitin Mukesh), the unscrupulous owner of the bank.

The film’s premise—an ordinary man’s war against the system—holds promise. However, the execution fails to capitalize on this potential. The narrative unfolds along predictably conventional lines, lacking the depth or unpredictability needed to keep viewers engaged. Sharma’s relentless pursuit of justice feels formulaic, with few surprises in store for the audience.

The film drifts between moments of mild humor and heavy-handed seriousness, ultimately struggling to find a rhythm that resonates. Radhe Mohan’s character, while driven by a strong moral compass, never evolves beyond his defining trait of being a number cruncher. As a result, despite Madhavan’s best efforts, the character lacks emotional depth, making it difficult for viewers to fully invest in his journey.

Kirti Kulhari, who plays a key role as a passenger with a connection to Sharma’s past, faces a similar issue. Although her character seems poised to offer emotional or narrative weight, she too remains underdeveloped. Her motivations and character arc are not explored sufficiently, leaving her character largely reactive to the actions of the lead. Kulhari’s performance, however, remains solid despite the constraints of the role.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Neil Nitin Mukesh stands out as the greedy and manipulative bank owner, Mickey Mehta. His portrayal is flamboyant, and while the character’s exaggerated traits occasionally make him a more engaging figure, the lack of real conflict or challenge between him and Sharma detracts from the stakes of the story.

The film’s attempt at social commentary—highlighting the exploitation of middle-class bank customers—is timely, but the execution falls flat. Hisaab Barabar struggles to balance its critique of corruption with its dramatic elements, leading to a somewhat disjointed viewing experience. Despite a few relatable moments and its intentions to provoke thought, the film ultimately lacks the punch required to leave a lasting impact.

The central message, which advocates for the power of patience and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, is clear. However, it is delivered with such predictability that it fails to inspire or engage. The film does not venture beyond its safe, established formula of the David versus Goliath struggle, which leaves little room for the audience to feel any real stakes or tension.

Ultimately, Hisaab Barabar is a missed opportunity. While the film’s premise and Madhavan’s performance offer glimpses of what could have been, its lack of narrative depth, underdeveloped characters, and uneven execution prevent it from making any significant impact. What starts as a promising drama about an ordinary man against a corrupt system ends up as a forgettable, by-the-numbers affair.

Entertainment

Dhurandhar box office collection crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide in 21 days

Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within 21 days, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the global box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide within 21 days of its release, reinforcing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Released on December 5, the film has shown sustained momentum both in India and overseas, outperforming other major releases of the year and entering the elite Rs 1,000 crore club.

Strong worldwide and domestic performance

According to figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 1006.7 crore globally in just three weeks. With this, it has gone past earlier big releases of the year, including Kantara Chapter 1 and Chhaava, to set a new benchmark in worldwide collections.

In the domestic market, the film has posted equally impressive numbers. Over its first 21 days, Dhurandhar collected more than Rs 650 crore in India. The film earned Rs 28.60 crore on Day 21, which coincided with Christmas, further boosting its overall tally.

A closer look at the India collections shows a strong week-wise performance. The film opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in the second week. Between Days 15 and 20, it added Rs 160.70 crore. With the Day 21 earnings included, the total net domestic collection stands at Rs 668.80 crore, placing it among the biggest box office successes of the year and pushing it closer to the Rs 700 crore mark in India.

Entry into top domestic earners list

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also secured a spot among the top ten highest-grossing Indian films based on domestic net collections. The film has overtaken Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to claim the ninth position on the list, underlining its exceptional run in theatres.

Cast, direction and sequel announcement

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar, whose storytelling and the performances of the cast have been key factors behind its box office success.

The makers have already confirmed a sequel, which was hinted at in the post-credit scene. The follow-up film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and will hit theatres in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

With its record-breaking global earnings and continued strong performance in India, Dhurandhar is set to close 2025 as one of the most successful Indian films in recent years.

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Govinda’s Avatar: Fire and Ash cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

AI-generated videos claiming Govinda’s cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash have gone viral, but the actor does not appear in the film.

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Govinda’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

Social media users were left amused and confused after several viral clips claimed that Bollywood actor Govinda had made a surprise cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The videos, which surfaced days after the film’s global release, showed Govinda as a blue-skinned Na’vi on Pandora, delivering dialogues in his trademark style or appearing on screen alongside Jake Sully.

The clips spread rapidly across platforms, with many viewers enjoying the humour, while others questioned whether the filmmaker had actually pulled off an unexpected crossover. Comments ranged from jokes asking where the “full movie” could be watched to disbelief over the possibility of such a casting choice.

No real cameo, clips are entirely AI-generated

Despite their convincing visuals, the viral videos are not authentic. Govinda does not appear in Avatar: Fire and Ash in any form. All the circulating clips and images have been created using artificial intelligence and fan edits, meant purely as memes and satire.

The buzz grew partly because of an old interview where Govinda had claimed he was once offered a role in Avatar but declined it. In that interaction, the actor spoke about being approached for a long shooting schedule and even claimed to have suggested the film’s title. However, this account was later questioned by his wife, Sunita Ahuja, who publicly said she was unaware of any such offer and distanced herself from the claim.

How old claims added fuel to the viral joke

Sunita Ahuja, speaking in a recent podcast, said she had no knowledge of the filmmaker visiting or offering Govinda a role, adding that she did not support false narratives. Her remarks resurfaced as the AI-generated clips went viral, reinforcing that the current buzz has no factual basis.

Avatar, directed by James Cameron, released in 2009, followed by The Way of Water in 2022. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment of the franchise, is currently running in cinemas worldwide, featuring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in lead roles.

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The Odyssey trailer: Christopher Nolan unveils first look of epic journey led by Matt Damon

Christopher Nolan has released the first trailer of The Odyssey, offering a glimpse into Matt Damon’s epic journey home after the Trojan War.

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The oddyssey

Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited film The Odyssey has officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of its first trailer. The ambitious project adapts Homer’s legendary epic and promises a large-scale cinematic experience rooted in myth, war and survival.

A glimpse into Odysseus’ long journey home

The trailer introduces Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek hero trying to make his way back home after the Trojan War. The visuals open in the immediate aftermath of the war, showing Odysseus leading his men away from Troy with the hope of returning to their families. However, the journey ahead appears long and dangerous.

Scenes highlight harsh landscapes, turbulent seas and repeated shipwrecks, underlining the physical and emotional toll of the voyage. The focus remains on endurance and survival rather than dialogue, with visuals driving the narrative forward.

One notable sequence shows Odysseus and his soldiers hidden inside the Trojan Horse, confirming that the fall of Troy forms part of the film’s early chapters. Another moment set in a dark cave, with an ominous moving shadow, hints at mythical threats without revealing them fully.

Family ties at the heart of the story

Alongside the action, the trailer places emphasis on family and emotional bonds. Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, while Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, his wife waiting for his return. Their presence adds a personal dimension to the otherwise grand scale of the story.

Ensemble cast and technical scale

The film features an extensive cast that includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel and Corey Hawkins, alongside Damon, Hathaway and Holland.

Christopher Nolan has written and directed The Odyssey and is producing it with Emma Thomas. Backed by a major studio, the film has been shot using new IMAX technology and is described as the first feature made entirely using IMAX’s largest film format.

The Odyssey is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026.

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