Metro… In Dino Movie Review: Anurag Basu’s Real Emotions-Filled Musical Hits All The Right Notes

Film:
Metro…In Dino

Director: Anurag Basu

Writers: Anurag Basu (Story & Screenplay) Sandeep Shrivastava and Samrat Chakravarthy (Dialogues)

Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Saswata Chatterjee

Run Time: 159 minutes (2 hours, 39 minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

Metro… In Dino Review

Anurag Basu’s much-awaited Metro.. In Dino is releasing in theatres this Friday and it answers some of the most important questions we’ve had. Do fractured relationships heal? Do opposites attract and is there always a happily ever after? Does loneliness and boredom in a relationship break bonds that have survived for ages? Do couples find peace in each other’s embrace after loads of struggle and heartbreak? Dada – with his impeccable storytelling and direction paired with music that is sure to take you to another world, beautifully answers all the questions while keeping the relationships real and not being preachy.

Metro…In Dino begins with a musical introduction of all the lead characters and establishes how they are related to one another. From the very first act, we are taken into the character’s perfect but yet imperfect world that’s filled with love, confusion, chaos and self-discovery. Through the lyrics, we are introduced to the characters and told a little about their love stories. The film revolves around the relationships of Kajol Ghosh (Konkona Sensharma) and Monty (Pankaj Tripathi) – a couple, whose marriage after years together has lost its spark. It also talks about Kajol’s mother Shibani Ghosh (Neena Gupta) – who after decades with her husband still struggles to find respect in their marriage. However, a college reunion reignites a flame in her, no one in the family knew she had.

The film also focuses on Kajol’s younger sister Chumki (Sara Ali Khan) – an indecisive working individual who deals with trust issues in her relationship with Anand (Kush Jotwani) when a carefree Parth (Aditya Roy Kapur) enters her chaotic life. Aside from the Ghosh ladies and their relationships, the film also narrates the story of a failed marriage and trust while in a long-distance relationship through the bond shared between a struggling musician Akash (Ali Fazal) and his reporter wife Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh).

What Works

The 5 beautifully woven stories (watch the film to know which is the fifth) are real and relatable. Be it infidelity in a relationship or trust issues or just wanting respect from one’s partner, the film covers almost all issues people face in their marriages/partnerships without being preachy. Pankaj Tripathi is a joy to watch and it doesn’t matter if he’s laughing, crying or just trying to woo his wife. Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta are stars who shine the brightest while surrounded by amazing actors.

Technical Analysis

Direction

We have seen similar stories in the past, but director Anurag Basu retells it in a manner that makes it seem fresh and relatable to all. The direction feels like a warm hug – that despite knowing (or having an inclination) how the film will unfold, you are still hooked to it. He manages to make each relationship real and not something written just for a film – if you look at the next door, you are sure to see something of them in Metro.. In Dino. The humours, the romance, the heartbreak, the music – everything has been added in right amounts and is sure to resonate with all.

Story, Screenplay & Dialogues

The film’s dialogues – while poetic, are filled with tons of emotions and are sure to hit the viewers hard. Like Shruti telling Akash, ‘I didn’t leave my job to be with you, I left a career’ – simple but heavy words that highlight the sacrifices women make in order to maintain a happy relationship. Sandeep Shrivastava and Samrat Chakravarthy deserve a round of applause for beautifully touching the hearts with their dialogues.

Anurag Da’s story and screenplay focuses on the smallest of nuances that make the obvious scream out loud. From a elder sister hiding family issues to protect her younger sibling, a wife willing to give up her dreams to help her husband, the situations are as real as it can get and are told with finesse.

Editing

Bodhaditya Bandyopadhyay and Satish Gowda have done their job well in editing Metro… In Dino. The first half will have you immerse in such a manner that you will hate it when it’s time for the interval. The second half, despite feeling a little lengthy, with still have your complete attention with the cuts used to switch from one frame to the next.

Cinematography

The film’s directors of photography – Abhishek Basu and Anurag Basu, have presented a world that is impressive. Be it Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or Pune, each city retains the charms we expect in Dada’s films. The cinematography and framing as well as the lighting right from the first scene is undoubetely one the best you will be seeing in Bollywood deliver in 2025.

Metro… In Dino Music

Pritam has worked magic with the music of Metro… In Dino. The songs – composed by the Metro Band, aka Pritam, Papon and Raghav Chaitanya, exploring the unsaid words in romance, and even the shattering broken hearts, beautifully. The background score adds more depth to the narrative while the thoughtfully penned lyrics is sure to make even turn stone into water.

Metro… In Dino Acting

When it comes to acting, every one of the lead actors as well as the supporting cast have delivered. From Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur to Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Saswata Chatterjee, none have disappointed.

Talking is depth about each character, Sara’s portrayal of Chumki is cute and clumsy. She effortlessly portrays the part of a modern girl who despite her social awkwardness manages to wins hearts. Be it her simple styling or screen presence, she comands attention every time she appears even when opposite the likes of Neena Gupta and Konkana Sensharma. Aditya Roy Kapur – with his boyish charm reminds of Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani’s Bunny and his free spirit.

Pankaj Tripathi is a versatile actor who can simultaneously be known as Mirzapur’s Kaleen Bhaiya, Criminal Justice’s Madhav Mishra and now Metro… In Dino’s Mukhtar Sahai. He has reinvented himself and will make you laugh, cry and chuckle as we immerse ourself more into his and Konkana’s Kajol’s love story. Talking about Ms Sensharma, she doesn’t disappoint. From seeing her as just a housewife to her transitioning into a carefree spirit, she’s a delight to watch her.

Ali Fazal brings his A-game to Metro…In Dino and makes you hate and love his character with the same intensity while also praying for his success. Fatima does her part well, as a wife sacrificing a lot and trying to meet her husband half way. Wish her character a little more explored as her track in Delhi was left like a loose end.

Neena Gupta is a powerhouse performer and deserves a standing ovation for her acting especially once she rekindles her frienship with Anupam Kher post their reunion. She’s fiery and till has the control that only comes with years of experience, making Shibani a tailor made role for Neena. Anupam Kher – despite limited screentime as Parimal Sarkar will make your heart ache as he narrates his story of love, loneliness and regrets.

Conclusion

Anurag Basu’s Metro…In Dino storytelling is top notch and deserves to be watched on the big screen. It’s like a cup of hot masala tea you enjoy while reading a book or reflecting on you life while partially covered in a comforter and looking out at the rain and fresh greenery.

Watch the trailer of Metro… In Dino here:

Hope our Metro… In Dino review helps you in deciding whether or not to watch the film in theatres as soon as it releases.

Also Read: MAA Review: Kajol’s Mythological Horror Is Much More Than A Haunting Tale Of Love, Power And Evil