Lathe Joshi

Story: After losing his job as a lathe machine worker, Viju Joshi is desperately in search for a job where he can put his skills to use. But he is unable to match up to the speed at which the world is moving forward.

Review:
Change is the only constant in life. Lathe worker Viju Joshi (Chittaranjan Giri) learns that the hard way when he loses his job at a workshop to automation. But he cannot accept the fact that he is out of work. The fact that Joshi cannot make the shift from manual to automated only adds to his woes.

Mangesh Joshi's directorial debut is thoughtful and executed nicely. He presents half the story through the characteristics of the Joshi family. Viju is hard working but stubborn. In contrast, his son Dinu (Om Bhutkar) lives among machines and for him, money matters more than hard work. Viju's wife (Ashwini Giri) is a mix of the old and the new while his mother (Seva Chauhan) is the typical old lady who starts getting cranky at the drop of a hat. These well-executed characters take the story of Lathe Joshi forward.

Despite a running time of just over one and a half hours, the film takes time to unfold and that, for some viewers, might be a drawback. However, there's a reason behind the pace. Moreover, it is a very technically sound film. The camera work and sound design deserve appreciation because without these Lathe Joshi would've lost its soul. The film beautifully captures how an artist feels if the means to create art is taken away from him.

As Viju Joshi, Chittaranjan Giri portrays the angst of his character precisely. Om Bhutkar and Ashwini Giri are good as well. But Seva Chauhan as the granny is just on point. The best scenes of the film come from her and Bhutkar.

Lathe Joshi is a perfect representation of changing times. To some extent, it puts the 'Survival of the fittest' theory into use by stating that those who can't make the shift shall perish. Complete with good performances and an emotional story, this film is worth a watch for the discerning viewers.