Metro…In Dino: A Review of Anurag Basu’s Musical Anthology

Anurag Basu’s Latest Film

Anurag Basu’s new film, Metro…In Dino, brings back the style of his earlier movies. Think Life in a Metro and Ludo. It also adds a musical touch, like Jagga Jasoos.

Four Couples, Many Stories

Metro…In Dino follows four main couples in different cities. It has many supporting characters. The film often cuts to songs by Pritam. These songs help express the characters’ feelings, much like a musical.

A Mix of Charm and Chaos

The movie is a bit chaotic. It has many storylines. But it also has charming moments. There are funny comments on modern relationships. Yet, it can feel messy and overly sentimental.

Standout Stories and Performances

Kajal and Monty’s Story

One of the best stories is about Kajal and her husband Monty. When Monty strays, Kajal is filled with disgust. Her plan for revenge is like a classic Italian farce.

Konkona Sensharma plays Kajal with real rage. Pankaj Tripathi’s comic timing as Monty brings laughs.

Shruti and Akash’s Struggles

Another story is about Shruti and her husband Akash. Akash is a struggling singer. He is too self-absorbed to understand Shruti’s choices. This leads to arguments and tears. Fatima Sana Shaikh does a great job showing Shruti’s pain and patience.

Shivani and Sameer’s Rut

Shivani and Sameer are stuck in a rut. Shivani meets her long-lost love Parimal. But she has to deal with his devoted daughter-in-law. Parimal’s solution to the situation is cruel and unrealistic.

Chumki’s Wavering Commitment

The fourth story is about Chumki. She is in a committed relationship but starts to waver. She meets Parth, who is afraid of commitment. Parth’s cool attitude makes Chumki have second thoughts.

Comparisons and Criticisms

Similar to Life in a Metro

Metro…In Dino is similar to Basu’s earlier film Life in a Metro. Both films have a band of musicians led by Pritam. They express the characters’ feelings through songs.

Life in a Metro was set in Mumbai. It had light humor, romance, and observations on urban relationships. Metro…In Dino, however, feels all over the place.

Lack of City Flavor

The film is set in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Delhi. But only Mumbai and Kolkata get much attention. Even then, the cities don’t add much flavor to the stories.

Music and Emotional Truth

Pritam’s music is a highlight. But it has to compete with poor lip-syncing and background scores. The movie also wanders off just when the stories start to get emotionally truthful.

Final Thoughts

Held Together by Performances and Music

The 162-minute film is held together by sharp performances and Pritam’s music. Basu doesn’t judge his characters. They are flawed in relatable ways.

A Paternalistic Tone

However, there’s a paternalistic tone to many incidents. A recurring image is of women passed out on their partners’ shoulders.

Whether awake or asleep, the women in Metro…In Dino are in more trouble than the film admits. The light-hearted tone has hints of darkness and compromise. In this regard, the film leavens its banality.