Critics Review:
There is something fascinating about stories that begin with love and gradually transform into tales of betrayal, revenge, and moral ambiguity. They remind us that human emotions rarely exist in absolutes. Love can become obsession, ambition can turn into desperation, and justice can ofien blur into vengeance. Ab Hoga Hisaab thrives in this grey space.
What starts as a seemingly straightforward thriller slowly unfolds into a narrative about aspirations, fraud, social conditioning, and the emotional cost people are willing to pay in pursuit of a better life. It grips your attention from the beginning, keeps you invested in its central conflict, and yet leaves you with the lingering feeling that there was potential for something far more impactful.
A Thriller Anchored by Strong Performances
The biggest strength of Ab Hoga Hisaab lies in its cast.
Shaheer Sheikh once again proves why restraint often works better than dramatic theatrics. There is sincerity in the way he portrays vulnerability, affection, and eventually the changing shades of his character. His emotional graph unfolds organically, making the audience empathise with him even when his decisions become questionable.
Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia complements him beautifully. Her performance brings emotional grounding to a story that frequently flirts with sensationalism. Together, Shaheer and Nimrit share a chemistry that feels effortless and authentic.
In fact, the camaraderie between the two becomes one of the reasons the audience continues rooting for them despite the narrative taking increasingly darker turns.
Sanjay Kapoor and Mouni Roy, as selfish anti-heroes operating from a place of self-preservation and greed, are effective in their parts. They understand the tone of the show and play their morally compromised characters with conviction.
Yet, despite the talent assembled, one cannot help but feel that several of these actors could have been utilised far more effectively.
The Soul of a Small-Town Love Story
Interestingly, beneath its thriller template, Ab Hoga Hisaab carries the heart of a small-town romance.
The music plays a significant role in establishing this emotional landscape. The soundtrack evokes the feeling of longing for love, transporting viewers into a world where dreams are simple and love feels uncomplicated. For brief moments, the series almost forgets that it is a thriller. And perhaps those moments are its best.
The Shaheer-Nimrit dynamic feels lived-in rather than manufactured. Their scenes together provide warmth to an otherwise tense narrative and leave viewers wanting to spend more time with these characters.
When Female Characters Become Casualties of Convenience
One of the biggest disappointments of the series is its treatment of its female characters.
Asheema Vardhan’s character carries immense potential. However, much like a role she has portrayed in the past, this character too is eventually reduced to functioning as a catalyst for the plot while simultaneously being used to add explicit content to the narrative. Her motivations and emotional complexity remain largely unexplored.
Similarly, Mouni Roy’s character suffers from superficial writing. Despite possessing the screen presence to command attention, she is often relegated to being little more than an accessory within the larger narrative.
The issue here is not the characters themselves but the writing. Women in the story repeatedly become devices that move the male arcs forward instead of existing as complete
individuals with their own agency. For a series attempting to comment on social realities, this feels like a missed opportunity.
The Bigger Questions Beneath the Thriller
Beyond its suspense and interpersonal conflicts, Ab Hoga Hisaab touches upon issues that resonate deeply with contemporary India. It explores the obsession many young Indians have with settling abroad.
The belief that life elsewhere automatically guarantees success. The willingness to take shortcuts. The vulnerability that aspirations create. And how easily people can fall prey to fraudulent schemes because they are blinded by dreams of a better future.
The series also briefly addresses another uncomfortable truth, the way women are often judged, discarded, or punished more harshly for acts committed in the name of love. These themes deserved greater depth and stronger exploration because they possess tremendous emotional and social relevance. Unfortunately, the narrative often chooses convenience over complexity.
Punjab Without Its Soul
Set against the backdrop of Punjab, the series strangely struggles to capture the essence of its setting.
Apart from the occasional Punjabi phrase and superficial visual markers, there is very little that immerses the audience into the region. The culture feels diluted. The atmosphere feels generic. The emotional geography remains underdeveloped.
This lack of authenticity becomes even more apparent because audiences have already witnessed shows like Kohrra, which embraced Punjab not merely as a location but as an integral character within the story. In comparison, Ab Hoga Hisaab often feels like a story that could have unfolded anywhere. The setting exists. The soul does not.
An Ending That Promises More
Despite its shortcomings, the series manages to regain momentum towards its conclusion. The shifting shades of the protagonist hint at a more morally complex future. Loyalties become uncertain, intentions appear increasingly blurred, and the line between victim and perpetrator begins to dissolve.
The ending succeeds in doing what finales are often expected to do. It leaves the audience curious. There is enough intrigue to anticipate the next season with hope that the writing becomes sharper, the emotional stakes become deeper, and the themes are explored with greater sincerity. Because the foundation is undeniably strong. It simply needs more conviction.
Final Verdict
Ab Hoga Hisaab is an engaging thriller elevated by compelling performances, memorable chemistry, and themes rooted in the aspirations and vulnerabilities of contemporary Indian society. Shaheer Sheikh and Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia emerge as the emotional anchors of the narrative, while Sanjay Kapoor and Mouni Roy add layers of selfishness and intrigue to the proceedings.
However, problematic female character writing, lack of regional authenticity, and an underdeveloped exploration of its most important themes prevent the series from achieving its full potential.
It is gripping enough to binge and intriguing enough to await another season, but also frustrating enough to make viewers wonder what could have been had the execution matched the ambition.
Ab Hoga Hisaab reminds us that dreams can deceive, love can complicate, and justice often arrives wearing shades of grey. It may not be the thriller it had the potential to become, but it leaves behind enough unanswered questions to keep us invested in what comes next.
Overall Rating: 3/5
By: Anushka Singhal
