Film Review
By Sunita VijayLife in any metro is tough. Life in a metro ‘in dino’ (in today’s times) is even tougher. We get entangled in the idiosyncrasies of those around us while trying to balance marriage, love, relationships, and our own inner aspirations and ambitions — all while discovering ourselves. Were the choices we made right or wrong? The confusion about our identity, what we seek in life, the roads we’ve taken consciously — in all this hustle, happiness often gets buried under the weight of daily survival as we constantly fire-fight the ever-changing dynamics of life. The vulnerable heart, deep inside, craves temporary joys — fleeting sparks that help rekindle a spirit once lost.
Anurag Basu dives deep into a range of emotions, exploring the lives of different people — teenagers, youth, the middle-aged, and the elderly. He threads four love stories into a lyrical narrative, with much of the film told through songs. Pritam and his band appear throughout, playing blissfully wherever the characters find themselves in conflict or in need of strong lyrical expression to stir the audience. The beautiful songs underline the ongoing emotions on screen, making the viewing experience impactful. However, except for a couple of tracks one might want to replay, most of the music feels louder than the actual lyrics.
Metro In Dino should be viewed as a standalone film. Comparing it to its 2007 predecessor Life in a Metro would be unfair. Almost two decades have passed. However love still remains beautiful but messy. Though the emotions behind love persist, relationships have evolved. The struggles are different. The times have changed. The overpowering influence of social media has awakened our dormant adventurous streak. We often live and portray a perfect — yet fake — life on social platforms, perhaps yearning for that same perfection in reality.
Anurag Basu has a galaxy of seasoned actors at his disposal to create this musical entertainer — Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Sara Ali Khan — along with the unspoken characters, Pritam and his band, who bring these stories to life when words fall short.
Metro In Dino explores the enigmatic side of our personalities — the inner turmoil, the confusion of right versus wrong, and the answers we seek. It sheds light on the choices we make in haste, the mistakes, the consequences, and the universal problems that cut across age and gender. The film presents couples dealing with infidelity, a teenager exploring their sexual orientation (an important topic handled with sensitivity), an elderly woman tasting freedom and self-realisation, and a young girl unsure about her career and romantic choices.
Anurag weaves a compelling narrative that captures the nuances and complexities of life in a bustling metropolis, balancing humour and heartache with remarkable ease.
Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher deliver standout performances. Konkona Sen Sharma (Kajol) is brilliant as an Instagram influencer, a smart wife teaching her straying husband a lesson, and a daughter who revives her mother’s dying spirit. Pankaj Tripathi (Monty), as Kajol’s husband, delivers a few humorous yet thought-provoking dialogues. Saswata Chatterjee (Kajol’s father), though in a small role, excels and offers a beautiful life lesson. Sara Ali Khan plays a confused young woman and captures the essence of her character well. Aditya Roy Kapur hits the mark as a theatre artist — the role of a cool, easy-going man suits him perfectly. He looks great and performs flawlessly. Fatima Sana Shaikh plays her part with impeccable sincerity. Ali Fazal as a struggling singer is good but he could have conveyed his pain and internal struggle more powerfully.
The film is shot across four major metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore. The camera angles are spot-on in capturing the essence of these cities. The location choices, especially the characters’ residences, reflect thoughtful planning in choosing these houses. All have windows or balcony overlooking either a busy city street or a metro rail running past or a congested area, symbolising external chaos and internal conflict in a metro.
Metro In Dino is tumultuous but delightful. The endearing performances, good cinematography, emotionally resonant music, masterful direction, and effective use of light and shadow make this movie worth watching. It offers life lessons that are taught subtly — a lot to take back.
