Intro:
Anurag Basu returns to familiar terrain with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to Life in a… Metro, this time with an evolved sensibility and a new cast of emotionally complex lovers navigating India’s sprawling metros. With an ensemble cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh, the film intertwines diverse romantic narratives rooted in realism, urban isolation, and quiet hope.
Plot:
Set across the buzzing metropolises of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru, Metro… In Dino follows several couples at emotional crossroads.
Parimal (Anupam Kher) and Shivani (Neena Gupta) rediscover intimacy in their twilight years, proving that love doesn’t retire. Arjun (Aditya Roy Kapur) and Nandita (Sara Ali Khan) represent a younger, more disoriented generation — caught between career ambitions and the vulnerabilities of modern dating.
Ishaan (Ali Fazal) and Sanjana (Fatima Sana Shaikh) wrestle with the toll of long-distance commitments, while Dr. Iyer (Pankaj Tripathi) and Meera (Konkona Sen Sharma) explore the blurry lines between ambition and emotional anchoring. Each story runs parallel yet intersects beautifully, thanks to Basu’s deft storytelling.
Performance & Direction:
Anurag Basu masterfully crafts a web of city lives where characters unknowingly echo one another’s dilemmas. There’s no heavy exposition here — the film trusts its audience to pick up on nuanced gestures, glances, and silences.
Aditya Roy Kapur brings quiet gravitas to his role, playing a man conflicted between success and self. Sara Ali Khan complements him well, delivering a mature and restrained performance. Meanwhile, Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta shine with seasoned charm, portraying a romance rooted in lived experience. Their scenes feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi are as reliable as ever, with Tripathi particularly excellent as a man juggling empathy and ego. Their chemistry has an offbeat energy that lends credibility to their story.
What Works:
Basu’s restrained direction, which allows each narrative room to breathe.
Pritam’s melodious soundtrack that never overwhelms, but accentuates emotion.
Cinematography that captures the soul of the cities without overshadowing the characters.
Performances that feel lived-in, not performed.
What Doesn’t:
The film occasionally leans too heavily on metaphor and mood, which may test the patience of viewers expecting a fast-paced narrative.
A couple of subplots feel underexplored, leaving emotional arcs slightly unfinished.
Final Words:
Metro… In Dino is not your typical Bollywood romance. It doesn’t chase melodrama or fairy-tale endings. Instead, it invites you to find beauty in the everyday — in delayed trains, missed calls, unsent messages, and unsaid words. With rich characters, mature writing, and a stunning musical backdrop, the film offers a gentle yet stirring ode to urban love in all its imperfect glory.
