Metro… In Dino Review: The lines from Muneer Niyazi’s famous poem —
“Hamesha der kar deta hoon main har kaam karne mein,
Zaroori baat kehni ho koi wada nibhana ho,
“Use aawaaz deni ho use wapas bulana ho,
Hamesha der kar deta hoon main.”
These lines come to mind when Ali Fazal’s character, Aakash — a struggling musician man— breaks down in front of his journalist wife, Shruti, near the end of film Metro… In Dino.
But the film director Anurag Basu’s long-awaited sequel to Life in a… Metro, which first came out 18 years ago and was loved by his critics, turns out to be worth the wait. Like the saying goes — better than the late never.
Metro… In Dino, film which hit theatres on July 4 (Friday), is a well-made and more thoughtful update of Life in a… Metro.
Women Lead the Way in Metro… In Dino
What director Anurag Basu may have missed in his Life in a… Metro, he makes up for in that type of sequel. The women — Neena Gupta, Konkona Sen Sharma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sara Ali Khan, and even the young actress who plays the daughter of Konkona and Pankaj Tripathi’s characters — are the real stars of their own struggle stories.
Each woman has her own journey in the film. Even if they don’t start off as the “main character,” it doesn’t take long before they take control of their lives and decisions.
Unlike Life in a… Metro, where women often suffered in silence, the women in Metro… In Dino have had enough. They’re done with men who are emotionally unavailable, unfaithful, manipulative, selfish, or indecisive. These women speak up, take action, and make their own choices. They may still believe in love or marriage, but only if the men prove they deserve it. They don’t settle or adjust — they claim the kind of power and independence men have always had, both on-screen and in real life.
The Couples (And More) of Metro… In Dino
: The film offers more than just the four couples shown in the trailer — it explores many shades of love.
- Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, and Saswata Chatterjee shine as older characters discovering love again in their twilight years. Neena Gupta’s performance is so charming.
- Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi are electric as Kajol and Monty, a middle-aged couple who treat their intimacy like a dentist appointment. They’re like the evolved versions of Shruti and Monty from Life in a… Metro.
- Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan bring a 2025 twist to Bunny and Naina from film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. He’s a womanizing a travel blogger, she’s a confused ex-med student turned with a corporate worker.
- Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh portray Akash and Shruti, a married couple who let family pressures, lack of communication and emotional distance break of their bond. They love each other but speak more through texts than in person — a painfully relatable look at the modern marriage.
A Nod to the Original
Life in a… Metro (2007), bring smile at the callbacks — and maybe even cheer. If people haven’t, still enjoy them for what they are. The music in the original, with its live band and haunting tracks like Alvida and Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si, is still also remembered today.
The new soundtrack, also by Pritam and featuring voices like Papon, brings in fresh tunes like Zamaana Lage, Dil Ka Kya, and Aur Mohabbat Kitni Karoon. Whether they’ll be remembered 18 years later — only time will tell.
Interestingly, at the press screening, some viewers were restless during the song sequences. Maybe because modern moviegoers are now used to either no songs at all or flashy promotional tracks over the end credits. But in an Anurag Basu film, music is a part of the story — it’s woven in, not just tacked on.
Pop Culture Easter Eggs and Basu’s Signature Style
Anurag Basu even appears in the film briefly. Metro… In Dino carries the emotional depth of film Barfi! the quirky charm of Jagga Jasoos, and the chaos of Ludo. There’s even a surprise cameo from a beloved director — widely known as the god modern of Hindi romance.
And fans of Mirzapur, take note that there’s a hilarious moment between Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, that’ll make you grin — even if the original dialogue is dubbed over.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Follow-Up, If Not a Perfect One
Making a sequel to a film as impactful as Life in a… Metro is a bold move. Metro… In Dino may not be as raw or melancholic, but it’s timely, more polished, and still deeply in human.
In a world where people rely on AI for emotional support and swipe through dating apps like catalogues, Metro… In Dino argues for something deeper — old-school love, but with new-age of awareness.
Anurag Basu may have arrived late with this sequel, but like the poet Muneer Niyazi once said, “Der aaye, durust aaye.” It’s worth the wait.
Also Read: Jurassic World Rebirth Review: A Familiar Roar with a Beating Heart
