Metro In Dino: A Melodic, Yet Meandering, Journey Through Modern Love

Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino arrives as a spiritual successor to his beloved 2007 film, Life In A Metro, aiming to once again dissect the intricate tapestry of urban relationships. While it brings together a stellar ensemble cast and features Pritam’s characteristic musical genius, the film ultimately offers a mixed bag – at times charming and insightful, but often sprawling and a little too much for its own good.

An Ensemble of Hearts

The film interweaves multiple storylines, each exploring a different facet of contemporary love and its challenges across various Indian metropolises like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. We follow Kajol (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Monty (Pankaj Tripathi) navigating the fading sparks in their marriage, Shivani (Neena Gupta) and Parimal (Anupam Kher) rediscovering a lost connection, Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh) and Akash (Ali Fazal) grappling with clashing ambitions, and Chumki (Sara Ali Khan) and Parth (Aditya Roy Kapur) exploring newfound romance with a dash of commitment phobia.

The film’s strength lies in its performances. Pankaj Tripathi, as the lovably eccentric Monty, often steals the show with his comic timing and subtle emotional depth. Konkona Sen Sharma delivers a nuanced portrayal of a woman grappling with marital disaffection. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Ali Fazal, despite a somewhat thinly written arc, bring a palpable intensity and vulnerability to their characters’ struggles. Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher provide a heartwarming glimpse into late-life companionship, even if their particular subplot sometimes feels a tad dated. Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur, while contributing to the breezy younger vibe, face the challenge of characters that don’t always fully land their emotional beats.

A Musical Hodgepodge

Pritam’s music, a signature of Basu’s films, serves as more than just a soundtrack; it acts as a narrative device, with musicians often appearing on screen like a Greek chorus, expressing characters’ inner thoughts. While individually the songs are often melodious and catchy, their sheer volume and repetitive nature can lead to a sense of musical overload. Some critics have noted that the overuse of songs, while trying to emulate a Hollywood musical style, only intermittently succeeds and blurs together rather than enhancing the storytelling.

Strengths and Stumbles

Basu’s distinctive blend of whimsy and vibrant cinematography shines through, capturing the essence of city life with an artistic flair. The first half of the film is particularly engaging, deftly juggling the various lives and their unfolding complexities. The dialogue, for the most part, feels natural and authentic, grounding the often-heightened emotional stakes.

However, Metro In Dino begins to trip over its “too much muchness” in the second half. The nearly three-hour runtime feels stretched, with plots becoming overly knotted and resolutions feeling repetitive or rushed. Some crucial subplots, particularly one involving a teenage girl’s questioning of her sexuality, have been criticized for being muddled, poorly researched, and even ethically questionable in their portrayal, missing an opportunity for nuanced representation. The film tries to pack in too many contemporary themes – from dating app culture and marital mundanity to urban ambition and even infidelity and abortion – but often only scratches the surface, resulting in a superficial exploration of profound issues.

The Verdict

Metro In Dino is an ambitious attempt to revisit a beloved format and update it for modern times. While it boasts strong performances from its ensemble, particularly Pankaj Tripathi and Konkona Sen Sharma, and a visually engaging aesthetic from Anurag Basu, its overstuffed narrative and excessive musical interludes ultimately hinder its impact. It’s a film with moments of genuine delight and emotional resonance, but it lacks the consistent buoyancy, ache, and sweetness that made its predecessor so memorable. For those who enjoy an ensemble romantic drama with a musical flair, it offers a decent, albeit lengthy, watch. However, it often leaves you wishing for a tighter script and a more focused exploration of its many intriguing themes.