Hard times, like good times won't last!

Milestone (Meel Patthar, Hindi/Punjabi; 2021)
Director: Ivan Ayr.

It has been ingrained upon us that we are what we can contribute back to society. In philosophical terms, that is the tithe we pay back to the community for providing the security of numbers and the helping hands from the herd. So, as long as we have something to offer, we will not be looked upon as a burden. It sounds simple enough to prevent sluggards from hogging on the society for alms. And we also assume life will be the same forever and the Universe will be kind to us till the end of time.

With the progressive lengthening of our life spans but incongruous to the available economic opportunities, there is a continual fight for the struggle for the young blood to fill in for the slowing older bodies. 

The average worker will give his life, breath and blood to perform his job to the best of his abilities. He does that not necessarily due to his undying passion for his job. It may be the only thing he is good at. It may be the only thing he has control over; perhaps the scene at the homefront is too depressing with constant harassment or a tone of overbearing melancholy. His job could be his escapism. Over the years, he would be comfortable in his position and start thinking that he is indispensable to the establishment. Slowly he will realise that his service may be replaced by the younger generation. Reality will strike hard.

In this movie, Ghalib, who had just clocked 500,000km on his lorry trips, is respected by his fellow lorry drivers and employers. He has been working in a father-and-son run transportation company. After seeing his colleague dismissed for deteriorating eyesight, Ghalib realises he could be next. Hanging like a dark cloud over his head is the sad memory of his wife, who had just committed suicide. On top of that, his wife's family demands compensation for Ghalib's alleged neglected duties as a husband. Ghalib's wife had suspected that her husband was having an affair which Ghalib vehemently denies. She attributed his constant absence from home due to that. 

Meanwhile, Ghalib's employers ask him to train a young apprentice. Ghalib can see his pink slip coming...

The exciting thing that is apparent in this movie is how senescence may vary according to one's economic strata. A blue worker has an exact shelf life; after that, he has to fend for himself. On the other hand, the professional or managerial groups can continue working till health permits. In the movie, we can see Ghalib living in fear of being replaced at any time. His boss, an old Sadarji, carries on life, delegating the complicated work to his son whilst still holding the right to make crucial decisions. He does not have to worry about retrenchment. He is the boss. 

This is a very slow-moving movie but is heart-wrenching in showcasing the hard knocks of life and how we have to deal with them.

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