Metro… In Dino (2025) Movie: Anurag Basu’s Love Stories Feel Half-Baked This Time
Metro In Dino brings director Anurag Basu back to what he does best – weaving relationship tales. This time, he presents multiple love stories across different Indian cities.
The film stars Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Each actor represents a different shade of modern romance and heartbreak.
The Story That Unfolds
Basu crafts four interconnected tales about couples at relationship turning points. The stories jump between cities, showing how love plays out differently across urban India.
The main thread follows Shivani and her two daughters navigating their own relationship troubles. Kajal’s marriage faces betrayal while Chumki explores new romance with a charming stranger.
What caught my attention was how each city shapes the characters’ choices. Bangalore’s tech culture, Mumbai’s hustle, and Delhi’s politics all influence how these people love and lose.
The movie tries to show how modern couples handle trust, commitment, and personal growth. Sometimes it works, sometimes it feels like watching strangers argue in coffee shops.
Acting That Ranges From Great to Ordinary
Neena Gupta proves why she’s considered one of our finest actors. Her portrayal of a mother watching her daughters make relationship mistakes feels completely real.
Anupam Kher brings his usual warmth to his role. Together, these veterans create the film’s most believable moments as a couple rediscovering each other.
I really enjoyed Aditya Roy Kapur’s natural charm in his romantic scenes. He doesn’t overact or try too hard, which makes his character likeable and genuine.
Sara Ali Khan works well alongside Aditya. Their chemistry develops nicely throughout the film, making their love story the most watchable part.
Konkona Sen Sharma delivers another strong performance. Her scenes dealing with marital betrayal pack real emotional punch, especially opposite Pankaj Tripathi.
However, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh seem uncomfortable in their emotional scenes. When the script demands vulnerability, both actors appear to hold back instead of diving deep.
Basu’s Direction: Ambitious But Uneven
Anurag Basu shows he understands relationships, but his execution feels scattered this time. The movie jumps between stories without giving each enough breathing room.
I noticed how some scenes flow beautifully while others feel rushed. The pacing issues make it hard to fully connect with any single storyline.
Basu’s decision to shoot across multiple cities adds visual variety but creates narrative confusion. Each location looks good but doesn’t always serve the story effectively.
The director’s musical touches work better in some segments than others. When songs enhance the emotion, they’re beautiful. When they interrupt the flow, they become distracting.
Technical Elements That Support the Vision
The cinematography captures each city’s unique personality. Mumbai looks busy and overwhelming while Bangalore appears more relaxed and modern.
Music integration happens throughout the film with mixed results. Some songs blend naturally into scenes while others feel forced into the narrative.
The editing could use improvement in several places. Transitions between storylines sometimes jar rather than flow, breaking the emotional connection.
Production design effectively shows class differences between characters. You can tell who has money and who doesn’t just by looking at their surroundings.
What Makes This Film Worth Watching
The veteran performances alone justify the ticket price. Watching Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher work together creates several genuinely moving moments.
Relatable relationship problems connect with anyone who has loved and lost. The issues these characters face mirror what many couples experience today.
Certain individual scenes work beautifully. When the writing and acting align, the movie delivers emotional truth that resonates deeply.
The optimistic tone about love surviving difficulties gives the film heart. Despite showing relationship failures, hope runs through every storyline.
Areas That Need Improvement
The narrative structure creates more confusion than connection. Jumping between four stories prevents deep investment in any single couple’s journey.
Younger cast members don’t match the emotional intensity of their veteran co-stars. This creates uneven viewing where some scenes shine while others fall flat.
Pacing problems plague several sequences. Some scenes drag while others rush past important emotional moments without proper development.
The film tries too hard to feel contemporary and relevant. Sometimes simpler storytelling would serve these characters better than fancy techniques.
How Critics and Audiences Responded
IMDb gives it 6.8 out of 10, showing mixed audience reaction. Most viewers appreciate the cast but find the story structure problematic.
Critics have been divided on the film’s merits. Some praise Basu’s ambitious vision while others find the execution lacking focus and clarity.
I found online discussions praising individual performances, especially the veterans. However, most agree the movie doesn’t reach its full potential.
Social media reactions show people enjoyed certain storylines while getting lost in others. The general feeling seems to be disappointment given the talented cast.
My Final Take
Metro In Dino feels like watching four different movies cut together into one. Each story has merit, but together they create narrative chaos.
The stellar cast keeps you engaged even when the script doesn’t. Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, and Konkona Sen Sharma deliver performances worth seeing.
I’d recommend this for relationship drama fans who enjoy character-driven stories. However, don’t expect Basu’s sharpest directorial work.
The movie succeeds as light entertainment about modern love but fails to create lasting emotional impact. It’s pleasant enough but ultimately forgettable.
My Rating: 3/5