Metro... In Dino Review

In the vast expanse of action films that have taken over commercial cinema in India, Anurag Basu, Anurag Kashyap, Dipankar Benarjee, Sriram Raghavan and a few others attempt to rekindle the charm of good old cinema in Bollywood. Among them, Basu is a specialist in romance. He does this in his quirky signature style. He has done it in Barfi, Life In A Metro, Ludo and Jagga Jasoos. Metro... In Dino is a spiritual sequel to the original Life In A Metro (2007). Is his magic still alive? Yes, partly.

This is an unconventional film that doesn't follow a single overarching plot, but instead weaves together five loosely connected love stories. Monty (Pankaj Tripathi) and Kajol (Konkona Sen Sharma) explore the bittersweet comfort of companionship in middle age. Parimal (Anupam Kher) and Shivani (Neena Gupta) reflect on rediscovering love after years of estrangement. Akash (Ali Fazal) and Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh) grapple with infidelity and the cost of emotional detachment. Parth (Aditya Roy Kapur) and Chumki (Sara Ali Khan) chase fleeting passion in a chaotic city. And a teenage girl quietly navigates her confusion around identity and sexuality. Together, these stories reflect the many shades of love - beauty, betrayal, rekindling, and ultimately, the courage it takes to let go.

Basu revisits his 2007 film with Metro In Dino. The context is fresh and relevant to 2025. The movie touches on everything - modern love and commitment issues to the economic pressures of starting a family, fading affection in long-term marriages, and the social stigma surrounding late-life romance.

Basu's greatest strength lies in crafting a make-believe world - but this time, it feels like he got a bit too absorbed in it. Certain elements might come across as alien or disconnected. For instance, the subplot involving a teenager's journey of exploring her sexuality feels overly stretched and somewhat artificial. Without it, the film might have flowed more naturally. Additionally, the Monty-Kajol storyline is unnecessarily extended with contrived humour, and the Akash-Shruti arc feels fragmented. Neither the conflict between them nor their eventual reconciliation is clearly defined.

At its current runtime of 160 minutes, Metro In Dino tends to overstay its welcome. Fortunately, if you make it through the sluggish portions, you'll likely appreciate the way the film concludes. If you've seen Basu's Ludo, you would know that his final acts often descend into chaos - either as a well-orchestrated comedy of errors or a messy hodgepodge. This film ends in the latter, but it's the kind of hodgepodge you'll enjoy. The chaos arrives, as expected, but you can't help but wish it had come much earlier in the narrative and stayed much longer.

The performances in this movie are a mixed bag - some shine, while others fall short. Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh struggle to generate chemistry. The narrative screams that they are deeply in love, but you won't see that spark on screen. Ali, playing a struggling musician, often appears stiff and disconnected, particularly in emotionally intense scenes. Fatima's expressions feel awkward and unconvincing. A scene where the two argue while Aditya Roy Kapur silently watches is particularly jarring - abruptly edited and emotionally flat.

In contrast, Sara Ali Khan delivers a fairly competent performance. Aditya Roy Kapur, meanwhile, seems to be having an absolute blast. He brings ease and charm to his role - almost like an extension of his character from Ludo. Watching him handle Sara's eccentricities is delightful. Together, their light-hearted scenes are some of the most fun moments in the film.

Once again, Pritam's music plays a pivotal role in elevating the film, enhancing the theatre experience with poignant melodies. In the truest sense, it's a musical - reminiscent of those seen in Hollywood. Pritam and his crew even appear on screen as bystanders, playing tunes that align with different situations.

The editing in Metro In Dino, much like that of Barfi and Ludo, is near perfect. Despite the numerous cuts and transitions - owing to multiple storylines and countless situations - it all feels seamless. The cinematography is equally praiseworthy. It captures Pune, Bengaluru, Goa and Mumbai with such a cinematic eye that even visiting these places in person might not offer the same visual experience.

Pritam's music, once again, is a major highlight. While comparisons to Life In A Metro are inevitable - especially with the late KK's iconic tracks - Metro In Dino delivers a solid, emotionally rich soundtrack. Zamana, sung by Arijit Singh and Shashwat Singh, is hauntingly beautiful. Dilka, performed by Raghav Chaitanya, is a fantastic rock-infused romantic track that evokes the musical nostalgia of the 2000s. It shows that heartbreak is sometimes best expressed through electric guitars and pounding drums.

The lyrics stand out as well. In this film, they transcend conventional songwriting - blending modern poetry (yes, poetry, not just lyrics) with lines inspired by classical shayari.

To truly enjoy Metro In Dino, it's best to take it as a musical - with innovative staging, emotional melodies and theatrical flair. It marks a commendable revival of the romance genre in Bollywood and certainly deserves a watch on the big screen.