Anurag Basu’s latest ensemble drama, Metro…In Dino, arrives in theaters this week, exploring modern relationships through a mosaic of interconnected lives, with Pankaj Tripathi in Metro In Dino delivering a standout performance. The film invites viewers into a world where love, heartache, and personal growth unfold across generations and backdrops, combining evocative music with Basu’s signature narrative style.
Complex Love Stories Weaved with Authenticity
In Metro…In Dino, Anurag Basu presents a vibrant tapestry of relationships, delving into questions that resonate with many: Can fractured bonds be healed? Do all mismatched couples find harmony? Does the comfort of familiarity stave off loneliness, or does it breed discontent? From its musical introduction, the movie introduces the ensemble—Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta, Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, among others—placing each in a world that feels both idealized and flawed.
Central to the unfolding drama is Kajol Ghosh (Konkona Sensharma) and Monty (Pankaj Tripathi), whose marriage is stifled by complacency. Shibani Ghosh (Neena Gupta) emerges as Kajol’s mother, a woman who, despite years with her husband, still seeks recognition and respect—a quest reignited during a college reunion no one saw coming. Meanwhile, Chumki (Sara Ali Khan), Kajol’s younger sister, navigates commitment issues with her partner Anand (Kush Jotwani), especially after Parth (Aditya Roy Kapur), an uninhibited spirit, enters her life, adding new layers of confusion and hope.
Widening the lens, the narrative also examines the marriage of Akash (Ali Fazal) and Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh), whose long-distance relationship is stressed by unresolved dreams and sacrifices. Through these overlapping stories, Metro…In Dino captures nuances of trust, loss, renewal, and the pursuit of happiness, keeping the audience invested without falling into moralizing or melodrama.
Relatable Narratives Anchored by Genuine Performances
The film stands out for its five intricately linked tales that highlight real struggles—infidelity, trust gaps, and the simple desire for mutual respect. Notably, Pankaj Tripathi shines as Monty, bringing humor, vulnerability, and charm to every scene, reinforcing his versatility. Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh add depth to the portrayal of distance and longing, while Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta, and the rest of the cast handle their roles with a resonance that brings their characters’ dilemmas to life. The authenticity, from the insecurities of siblings to the sacrifices made by partners, grounds the film in reality while still letting the story breathe.
Direction and Technical Mastery Craft a Unique Experience
Anurag Basu’s direction breathes warmth and immediacy into familiar territory, retelling stories in a way that draws out new emotional textures. Even when the audience anticipates the direction a story might take, Basu’s approach keeps them engaged. He achieves a sense of realism, reflecting scenarios that could be unfolding in homes next door, and intersperses levity, romance, heartbreak, and musical interludes with a deft hand.
The screenplay, penned by Basu and Sandeep Shrivastava with dialogues by Samrat Chakravarthy, is rich in emotional subtext. Dialogue such as Shruti expressing,
“I didn’t leave my job to be with you, I left a career,”
gives voice to the often-unspoken sacrifices women make in relationships, highlighting the screenplay’s focus on nuanced realities.
Technical aspects reinforce the storytelling’s impact. Editors Bodhaditya Bandyopadhyay and Satish Gowda keep the pacing engaging, with the first half immersing viewers so thoroughly that the interval feels like an unwelcome interruption. While the second half runs a tad long, smart editing choices ensure that attention never drifts. Visually, cinematographers Abhishek Basu and Anurag Basu capture the spirit of cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, using lighting and framing to match the narrative’s shifting tones, giving each locale a distinct personality within the story’s broader canvas.
Memorable Music Elevates Emotional Resonance
Music is integral to Metro…In Dino’s atmosphere. Composed by Pritam with contributions from the Metro Band, including Papon and Raghav Chaitanya, the soundtrack traverses the confessions, heartbreaks, and yearnings that words sometimes cannot. Songs and background scores accentuate moments of vulnerability, desire, and release, their lyrics and melodies adding another dimension to the unfolding drama.
Outstanding Acting from an Ensemble Cast
The film’s ensemble cast leaves a collective mark, infusing each character with individuality and credibility. Sara Ali Khan’s depiction of Chumki stands out for her earnest awkwardness and ability to hold her own alongside established actors like Neena Gupta and Konkona Sensharma. Aditya Roy Kapur brings breezy charm reminiscent of iconic roles, infusing lightness where needed.
Pankaj Tripathi anchors much of the narrative as Mukhtar Sahai (Monty), with a performance that moves seamlessly from comedy to heartbreak, again demonstrating why his talents are sought after across genres. Konkona Sensharma meshes depth and transformation in her portrayal of Kajol, shifting from dutiful housewife to a spirit rediscovering herself.
Ali Fazal’s portrayal in Metro…In Dino provokes complex emotions from audiences, while Fatima Sana Shaikh captures the dilemmas of compromise and hope in marriage. Neena Gupta, imbued with experience and gravitas as Shibani, particularly shines during her character’s late-in-life changes, while Anupam Kher delivers a poignant performance as Parimal Sarkar, vividly expressing loneliness and longing.
What Makes Metro…In Dino Stand Out
Metro…In Dino distinguishes itself by refusing oversimplified resolutions—relationships are messy, joy is fleeting, and self-discovery is a continuous process. Anurag Basu’s storytelling, supported by music, insightful writing, and compelling technical craftsmanship, keeps viewers emotionally invested throughout. The relatable issues, from the struggles for mutual respect to the pain of missed opportunities, strike a chord with a wide audience, making the film more than just an ensemble drama.
Audiences craving cinema that is both heartfelt and musically rich will find value in Pankaj Tripathi in Metro In Dino, as well as in the excellent work from key entities across cast, crew, and production. The settings, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the quiet corners of Pune, add authenticity and energy, connecting each storyline in ways that feel both intimate and expansive.
With such a strong cast and imaginative direction, Metro…In Dino represents a promising blend of narrative drama, visual beauty, and evocative music. Viewers can look forward to a cinematic experience that lingers, challenging them to reflect on love, loss, and the search for meaning within the everyday.
