Anurag Basu's 'Metro…In Dino': A Musical Exploration of Modern Relationships

Overview of 'Metro…In Dino'

In his latest anthology film, Metro…In Dino, Anurag Basu revisits themes from his earlier works, including Life in a Metro and Ludo, while incorporating musical elements reminiscent of Jagga Jasoos. The film features four main couples navigating their relationships across various settings, with a soundtrack by composer Pritam that serves to express the characters' inner thoughts in a musical format.

A Mixed Bag of Stories

The film presents a blend of charming moments and humorous observations about modern relationships, but it often feels chaotic, with too many musical elements competing for attention. The narrative, penned by Basu with dialogue contributions from Sandeep Srivastava and Samrat Chakraborty, showcases a mix of engaging and lackluster segments.

Character Dynamics

Three of the four storylines focus on Shivani (Neena Gupta) and her daughters, Kajal (Konkona Sensharma) and Chumki (Sara Ali Khan). One of the standout narratives follows Kajal as she grapples with her husband Monty's (Pankaj Tripathi) infidelity, leading to a revenge plot that echoes classic Italian farces. While Kajal's anger is palpable, Monty's comedic attempts to win her back, highlighted by Tripathi's excellent timing, provide levity.

Struggles in Marriage

Another couple, Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh) and Akash (Ali Fazal), face their own challenges, with Akash's self-centeredness causing friction in their relationship. Shaikh effectively portrays Shruti's emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, Shivani's reunion with her former love, Parimal (Anupam Kher), introduces further complications, particularly with his devoted daughter (Darshana Banik).

The Flimsy Fourth Plot

The fourth storyline, involving Chumki and her wavering commitment to Parth (Aditya Roy Kapur), feels the weakest. Parth's laid-back demeanor prompts Chumki to reconsider her relationship, adding to the film's exploration of commitment issues.

Comparative Analysis

Similar to Basu's earlier film, Life in a Metro, Metro…In Dino features a musical ensemble led by Pritam, who frequently appears to convey the characters' emotions. However, while Life in a Metro was grounded in its setting and humor, the sequel lacks coherence and depth.

Cultural Context and Music

Set nominally in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Delhi, the film primarily highlights Mumbai and Kolkata without fully utilizing their cultural richness. Pritam's music, a highlight of the previous film, competes with poor lip-syncing and an overwhelming background score, detracting from the emotional resonance of the stories.

Final Thoughts

Despite its 162-minute runtime being filled with strong performances and Pritam's music, Metro…In Dino struggles to maintain focus. The film presents its characters as relatable yet flawed, but a paternalistic tone overshadows many scenes, particularly those depicting women in vulnerable positions. While the film's light-hearted approach hints at darker themes, it ultimately falls short of delivering a cohesive narrative.

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