Metro… In Dino (2025) Movie: Pankaj Tripathi Steals the Show in Basu’s Latest Romance
Metro in Dino, directed by Anurag Basu, is a 2025 Hindi romantic drama that explores the complexities of contemporary relationships through multiple interconnected stories. The film features an impressive cast including Pankaj, Neena Gupta, Anupam, Konkona Sharma, Aditya Roy, Sara Ali Khan, Ali, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. This drama-romance film delves into bittersweet relationships set against the backdrop of modern urban life.
The film was officially announced in December 2022 and underwent principal photography across multiple cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Lucknow. Basu’s narrative spans across Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and briefly to Goa and Himachal Pradesh, creating a pan-Indian canvas for his storytelling.
Plot and Storyline
Metro in Dino consists of multiple heartfelt stories of contemporary couples, weaving together narratives that reflect the complexities of modern relationships. The film takes viewers into the world of flawed yet fascinating human beings living lives across India’s major cities.
The narrative structure follows Basu’s signature style of interweaving multiple plotlines, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonates with audiences. Each story brings its own flavor to the overall narrative, examining how technology and changing societal norms impact modern relationships.
Cast Performance
The acting performances across the board have been praised, with particular standout performances from Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Ali Fazal. The story featuring Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta has been highlighted as particularly compelling, showcasing their veteran acting prowess.
While the majority of the cast delivers commendable performances, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh come across as slightly stiff in emotionally charged scenes. The veteran actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Neena Gupta anchor the film with their nuanced portrayals.
Direction and Cinematography
Anurag Basu’s direction showcases his understanding of human emotions and relationships. His ability to juggle multiple storylines while maintaining narrative coherence is commendable. The film’s visual treatment captures the essence of metropolitan life across different cities.
The cinematography effectively captures the urban landscape while focusing on intimate moments between characters. The use of different cities as backdrops adds visual variety to the film, though the constant location changes sometimes prevent full immersion in any single setting.
Music and Technical Aspects
The music composed by Pritam, with songs sung by Shilpa Rao, complements the film’s romantic theme effectively. The songs have been well-received by audiences, adding emotional depth to the storytelling. The background score enhances the emotional moments without being overpowering.
The technical aspects of the film, including editing and sound design, support the narrative well. The film’s production values are solid, with attention to detail in costume design and set decoration that reflects contemporary urban life.
What I Liked and What Could Be Better
Strengths:
- Strong performances from veteran actors, particularly Pankaj Tripathi and Neena Gupta
- Relatable storylines that reflect modern relationship dynamics
- Effective use of music to enhance emotional moments
- Basu’s understanding of human emotions and contemporary issues
Areas for Improvement:
- Some performances lack emotional depth in crucial scenes
- The ‘Metro’ concept could have been explored more thoroughly
- Pacing issues in certain segments due to the lengthy runtime
- Inconsistent character development across different storylines
I found the film’s strength lies in its authentic portrayal of modern relationships. While it may not be groundbreaking, the emotional honesty makes it engaging. The veteran actors truly shine, but I wished some younger performers had matched their intensity.
Critical Reception and Public Response
The film has received positive reception with an IMDb rating of 8.4/10, indicating strong audience appreciation. Critics have praised the film as a brilliant relationship drama that makes audiences fall in love with love. Glamsham noted that while it’s not a perfect film, it’s an honest one.
However, some critics have noted that the film fails to match up with Anurag Basu’s Life In a Metro but still connects with audiences. The general consensus suggests that while the film may not reach the heights of Basu’s previous work, it succeeds in creating an emotional connection.
Final Verdict
Metro in Dino succeeds in creating a heartwarming exploration of contemporary love stories. While it may not be groundbreaking in its approach, the film’s strength lies in its authentic portrayal of modern relationships and the solid performances from its cast.
The film works best when it focuses on the emotional core of its characters rather than trying to be overly clever with its narrative structure. Despite some pacing issues and inconsistent performances, Metro in Dino offers enough heart and authenticity to make it a worthwhile watch for fans of relationship dramas.
Rating: 3.5/5
