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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

Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 7 crosses Rs 600 crore in India

Dhurandhar 2 continues its strong box office run, crossing Rs 600 crore in India and Rs 1000 crore worldwide within its first week.

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Dhurandhar 2 review

Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the India box office within seven days of its release, according to trade estimates. The film has maintained a strong run in both mass centres and urban markets during its first week.

As per trade figures, the film’s India net box office collection stands at around Rs 623 crore after seven days, while the gross domestic collection is estimated to be over Rs 740 crore. The film has also performed strongly in overseas markets, taking its international collection to more than Rs 250 crore. With this, the worldwide box office total has crossed Rs 1,000 crore within the first week of release, as per trade estimates.

Day-wise performance in India

The film opened strongly on March 19 with box office collections of over Rs 100 crore. The film continued to perform well over the next few days, collecting around Rs 80 crore on Day 2 and over Rs 110 crore on Day 3. Collections remained strong over the weekend, followed by an expected drop on weekdays. By Day 7, the film collected around Rs 47 crore, taking the total India net collection past Rs 600 crore.

Overseas performance and comparison

The film has also reported strong performance in overseas markets, particularly in the UK and other key international territories. With the worldwide collection crossing Rs 1,000 crore in the first week, the film is being compared to the fast global box office pace seen by Pushpa 2: The Rule in terms of early box office momentum, according to trade observers.

About the film

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is the sequel to the 2025 film Dhurandhar. The sequel features Ranveer Singh along with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 review: Ranveer Singh dominates Aditya Dhar’s high-octane sequel

Dhurandhar 2 review explores Ranveer Singh’s standout performance in a violent and layered sequel directed by Aditya Dhar.

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Dhurandhar 2 review

The release of Dhurandhar 2 has brought back the kind of theatrical frenzy last witnessed during Pathaan, which marked Shah Rukh Khan’s return to cinemas. This time, the spotlight firmly belongs to Ranveer Singh, who headlines the second instalment of Aditya Dhar’s ambitious action franchise.

The sequel builds on the foundation of the first film, amplifying its scale, violence, and emotional depth. Positioned as a revenge-driven narrative, the story centres on Jaskirat Singh Rangi, whose personal tragedy in 2002 sets the tone for the film’s intense journey.

A revenge story rooted in personal loss

Jaskirat, a young man from Pathankot aspiring to join the Indian Army, is pushed into darkness after his father’s murder and the brutal assault on his sisters. His life takes a drastic turn when he is recruited into a covert operation by Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, along with his associate Sushant Bansal.

Over time, Jaskirat transforms into Hamza Ali Mazari, a lethal operative tasked with dismantling terror networks across Pakistan. The narrative follows his evolution into a ruthless force, balancing emotional vulnerability with extreme brutality.

Ranveer Singh anchors the film

At the core of Dhurandhar 2 is Ranveer Singh’s performance, which stands out for its range and intensity. Whether portraying emotional turmoil or executing violent missions, the actor commands attention throughout.

One of the film’s standout moments features his character in a restrained yet explosive state, delivering a chilling performance that adds to the film’s dramatic weight.

Expanding the universe with political and historical references

The film blends fiction with real-world references, incorporating elements like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, demonetisation, the Uri attack, and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. It also introduces characters inspired by real figures, including terror operatives and political personalities.

A cameo reference to Narendra Modi adds another layer to the narrative, reflecting the film’s attempt to merge cinematic storytelling with contemporary political undertones.

Supporting cast adds depth

The film features strong supporting performances, including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, who emerges as a formidable antagonist. However, the absence of a larger role for Akshaye Khanna is noticeable, despite his brief appearance.

Sanjay Dutt appears in an extended cameo, delivering a commanding screen presence. Meanwhile, Madhavan’s dual-layered portrayal adds narrative complexity.

Other actors like Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, and Rakesh Bedi contribute effectively, with their characters receiving more clarity compared to the first film.

Music blends multiple eras

The soundtrack of Dhurandhar 2 stands out for its diversity, featuring recreations and classics across decades. Tracks inspired by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, and international artist Khaled add a unique musical layer to the film.

A sequel that answers questions but misses the climax high

While the film provides answers to several unresolved questions from the first part, it does not quite match the crescendo of its predecessor. Still, it succeeds in expanding the narrative universe and maintaining audience engagement.

Overall, Dhurandhar 2 is driven by Ranveer Singh’s commanding performance and its bold storytelling approach, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise.

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