Metro In Dino movie review

Metro In Dino Movie Review: Sara Ali Khan Channels Kareena Kapoor in Anurag Basu’s Bittersweet Urban Tapes Metro In Dino movie review

by

Introduction Metro In Dino movie review
Anurag Basu returns with Metro In Dino, a spiritual successor to his 2007 film Life In A… Metro. With an ensemble cast, interconnected urban stories, and Pritam’s soulful music setting the tone, the film dives deep into themes of loneliness, love, and longing in metropolitan life. But perhaps what grabs attention most this time is Sara Ali Khan’s performance — a loud, vibrant character reminiscent of Kareena Kapoor’s iconic Geet from Jab We Met.

However, Metro In Dino is not just a nostalgia trip. It’s a refreshing — and at times frustrating — attempt to dissect modern-day relationships, societal expectations, and inner conflicts. With highs that exhilarate and lows that exasperate, this is a film that’s as layered and unpredictable as the cities it portrays.

The Premise Metro In Dino movie review
Set in contemporary Mumbai, Metro In Dino unfolds through a series of parallel stories that eventually intersect. The characters represent various social classes, emotional states, and life stages, but all are bound by a shared sense of urban isolation and the yearning for connection.

Whether it’s the shy introvert who stumbles into unexpected romance, the disillusioned married couple grappling with infidelity, or the young woman trying to break free from generational expectations, the stories echo real-life struggles with refreshing honesty.

The overarching narrative structure is familiar, but it’s elevated by Basu’s flair for storytelling, use of visual metaphors, and a background score that almost becomes a character in itself.

Sara Ali Khan: The Kareena Kapoor Parallel Metro In Dino movie review
Let’s address the headline first: Sara Ali Khan’s character — Rhea — is impossible to ignore. She’s bubbly, outspoken, self-assured, and somewhat chaotic, bringing an unmistakable Geet-like energy to the screen. Whether that’s a tribute, coincidence, or clever casting is up for debate, but what’s undeniable is the impact her character has on the narrative.

Rhea is not just comic relief. Underneath the loud laughter and impulsive decisions lies a woman battling her own insecurities and traumas. Sara manages to walk that tightrope between irritating and endearing, though at times her performance borders on exaggerated. But when she hits the emotional notes — especially in scenes involving her broken relationship with her mother — she reveals a depth that marks a significant growth in her acting journey.

Sara Ali Khan is clearly evolving as an actress, and while comparisons to Kareena are inevitable, Rhea feels more rooted in Gen Z’s chaotic realism than Geet’s romantic optimism.

The Ensemble Cast: Stars and Stories Metro In Dino movie review
Aditya Roy Kapur plays Arjun, a seemingly brooding character dealing with corporate burnout and emotional repression. His chemistry with Sara is interesting, if a bit underdeveloped. Their arc follows the “opposites attract” trope, but it’s told with enough nuance and unpredictability to keep you invested.

Konkona Sen Sharma and Ali Fazal shine in a more mature subplot. Sharma’s character, an independent editor living alone, is layered and beautifully portrayed. Her past trauma is revealed subtly, never melodramatically. Ali Fazal matches her presence with a quiet vulnerability that’s heart-wrenching.

Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta, as a long-married couple confronting their drifting relationship, bring gravitas and humor. Their story — while the most conventional — is perhaps the most relatable for older audiences.

Pankaj Tripathi, though underutilized, steals every scene he’s in. He plays a philosophical auto-rickshaw driver who acts as the metaphorical conscience of the city, connecting several of the characters through chance meetings and conversations. His character might remind viewers of Irrfan Khan’s role in Life in a… Metro, which seems intentional.

Direction and Screenplay: Anurag Basu’s Signature Style Metro In Dino movie review
Anurag Basu is known for his fluid, non-linear storytelling, and Metro In Dino is no exception. The screenplay weaves through different lives seamlessly, occasionally overlapping them to reinforce the film’s central theme: that everyone is struggling with something, and sometimes, connection is just a metro ride away.

There are plenty of signature Basu moments — dream sequences, animated interludes, quirky visual gags — but he reins in the indulgence this time, making the film more accessible. The humor is organic, the emotional moments are never manipulative, and even the implausible coincidences feel grounded in a world that thrives on unpredictability.

The film’s pacing, however, is inconsistent. Some stories feel rushed, others linger a bit too long. But given the anthology format, this is forgivable, if not entirely excusable.

Music: Pritam’s Emotional Pulse Metro In Dino movie review
Pritam’s soundtrack for Metro In Dino is among the highlights. The title track — a reimagined version of his earlier hit — plays like a nostalgic echo from the past. Arijit Singh, Shilpa Rao, and Lucky Ali lend their voices to a collection of songs that blend seamlessly into the narrative, amplifying its emotional weight.

The background score is equally effective. It’s subtle when needed, soaring when required, and always in sync with the mood. Few directors use music as intelligently as Basu, and Metro In Dino proves this yet again.

What Works Metro In Dino movie review
Strong Performances: From veterans like Neena Gupta to rising stars like Sara Ali Khan, the acting is uniformly strong.

Realistic Themes: Love, loneliness, infidelity, ambition, generational conflict — all are explored with maturity.

Cinematography: Mumbai is shot beautifully. Its chaos, colors, and shadows all become part of the storytelling.

Music: Pritam once again delivers a memorable soundtrack that complements the film’s emotional tone.

What Doesn’t Work Metro In Dino movie review
Pacing Issues: The narrative sometimes drags, especially in the second half.

Underwritten Subplots: A few characters — especially Tripathi’s and Aditya’s — could have used more screen time.

Predictability: While emotionally engaging, many plot points follow expected paths.

Final Thoughts: Annoying Yet Exhilarating Metro In Dino movie review
Metro In Dino is not a perfect film. It stumbles, meanders, and occasionally frustrates. But it also uplifts, surprises, and resonates. Like the city it represents, it’s full of contradictions — annoying and exhilarating, hopeful and heartbreaking, chaotic and comforting.

Anurag Basu once again proves he understands the urban soul better than most of his contemporaries. And while Sara Ali Khan’s character may be “Kareena Kapoor-coded,” she brings her own flair, reminding us that characters inspired by icons can still be original in their impact Metro In Dino movie review

In a time when commercial cinema often chooses spectacle over substance, Metro In Dino dares to stay grounded. It invites viewers to look around — in the metro, on the street, or in their own homes — and find the stories hiding in plain sight.

Metro In Dino movie review

Leave a Comment