I watched Milestone : Meel Pathar on Netflix in orig. Hindi/Punjabi w/Eng. Subtitles.
Meel Pathar starts with a dark ambiance and sustains this for the most part. After the first fifteen minutes I didn't really want to watch the rest of the film. I continued because the main character Ghalib (well portrayed by Suvinder Vicky) looked exactly like a distant relative :-)))) now thats a reason to watch a film if any ....
Turned out to be quite a good film though in the Gloomy genre.
Ghalib is what many would consider a stereotypical roughneck seasoned truck driver. His colleague and good friend is Dilbagh, possibly older to Ghalib. A loader's strike in on and the truck drivers end up giving a hand with the loading and unloading of goods, causing Ghalib severe back strain. The truck owner's son wants to infuse new blood into the business. Ghalib asks for a loader to accompany him on his trips but the owner gives him a young lad Pash (Lakshvir Saran) to train as a driver. In the meantime, Dilbagh is unceremoniously replaced by a younger driver and Ghalib also fears he may lose his job to the new boy.
A background sub plot is that Ghalib's Sikkimese wife Etali has committed suicide and this is another reason for his gloomy countenance. Her father and sister approach Ghalib's village panchayat demanding compensation for the loss of their daughter. Ghalib says he never illtreated his wife, and did everything to make her happy including selling his village home and buying a flat in the city. The panchayat still decides that Ghalib should give them some compensation but the sister in law strangely refuses his offer of Rs2 lac cash. He is given a months time to think of what else he can offer.
Ghalib and the young Pash bond of sorts. Ghalib offers Pash money to resign as he fears he will be fired if Pash becomes a regular driver. Pash refuses the money but says he will quit if Ghalib marries his older sister. A shocked Ghalib slaps him and walks away. Ghalib is invited for a cup of tea by his Kashmiri neighbour (well essayed by Pavitra Mattoo) when he goes to return a toy dropped in his balcony by the lady's child. Over tea, the lady talks about Etali. During the conversation Ghalib admits that his wife's suspicions about his infidelities was true. Ghalib obtains a hard to get and expensive liquor licence permit and offers it to his inlaws who accept this as compensation much to the panchayat's surprise.
Another sub plot is Pash's elder sister calling Ghalib as she is worried that she can not get through to her brother for a few days. Ghalib's truck driven by Pash has broken down, Ghalib traces him and calls the sister back to inform her. In the process Ghalib and the sister have a longish, amiable conversation hinting that Ghalib may perhaps consider a new life with a new wife and a brighter future to look forward to.
The sets and locations are realistic, the acting is strong by all and the plot is good though appears boring at times and could have been speeded up for easier watching. I fast forwarded my way through a few frames.
Meel Pathar is not a film for everyone, but it is good nonetheless.
