Anurag Basu returns after 18 years with Metro…In Dino, a spiritual successor to his acclaimed 2007 film Life in a Metro. While not officially a sequel, this fresh chapter echoes the essence of its predecessor—urban chaos, emotional complexity, and the fragile threads of relationships in modern times.

This time, Basu expands his canvas to include not just Mumbai, but also Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Pune—offering a wider lens into metropolitan love stories shaped by the digital era, excessive information, and shifting emotional expectations.

A Tapestry of Intertwined Lives

At the heart of the film is the Kolkata-based family of Shivani (Neena Gupta) and Sanjeev (Shashwat Chatterjee), whose two daughters—Kajol (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Chumki (Sara Ali Khan)—are navigating relationships, responsibilities, and regrets.

Kajol, married to Manti (Pankaj Tripathi) for 19 years, appears to live an ideal life. But beneath the surface, cracks in their marriage are beginning to show. Their teenage daughter, too, battles her own internal conflicts. Meanwhile, Chumki, an HR consultant with a timid demeanor, puts up with subtle workplace harassment and is heading towards an engagement with a colleague. Her life takes a turn when she meets travel vlogger Parth (Aditya Roy Kapoor), a free-spirited soul with emotional depth.

Parth’s friend, Akash (Ali Fazal), is a struggling musician stuck in a conventional life with his wife Shruti (Fatima Sana Shaikh). Shruti, too, grapples with a momentary attraction to a coworker, hinting at the emotional emptiness in her marriage. Back in the past, Shivani reunites with her college sweetheart Parimal (Anupam Kher), stirring up memories of forgotten dreams and unfulfilled promises.

Through these characters, Basu explores themes of disconnection, second chances, emotional fatigue, and the evolving nature of love in today’s hyper-connected world.

Where the Film Falters

Basu, known for juggling ensemble casts, manages to hold the narrative threads with finesse for the most part. He brings back moments that pay homage to the original Life in a Metro—like the venting scream therapy scene or quirky character traits reminiscent of Irrfan Khan’s iconic performance. However, the film does stretch a bit post-intermission, and some arcs—especially those of Kajol-Shivani and Shruti’s emotional conflict—deserved deeper exploration.

Despite its extended runtime and occasional pacing hiccups, the film doesn’t slip into heaviness, maintaining a balance between drama and relatability.

Performances That Stay With You

Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi shine in their portrayal of a couple quietly drifting apart. Their nuanced chemistry captures both tenderness and discontent. Ali Fazal impresses as a dreamer trapped in a domestic cage, while Fatima Sana Shaikh delicately handles the emotional turmoil of a woman questioning her marriage.

Aditya Roy Kapoor brings warmth and honesty to the role of Parth. Sara Ali Khan, however, feels somewhat miscast in the role of a submissive introvert, and her character arc lacks the emotional pull of others. Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher’s reunion adds an emotional weight to the film, with Kher delivering a particularly moving scene. Shashwat Chatterjee leaves a mark in his limited screen time.

Music & Visuals: The Film’s Soul

Pritam’s music, enriched by voices like Papon and Raghav Chaitanya, is one of the film’s strongest assets. The soulful “Ahsaas Ho Ya Na Ho…” lingers long after the credits roll. The cinematography by Anurag and Abhishek Basu beautifully captures the chaos and calm of city life, enhancing the emotional layers of the narrative.

Metro…In Dino may not pack the same punch as Life in a Metro, but it gracefully revisits old emotional terrains while exploring new ones. It’s a film for those who are disillusioned by modern love, yearning for connection, or searching for clarity in the midst of urban noise.

If you’ve ever felt lost in a crowd, questioned love, or wondered about second chances, this film might just feel like a quiet conversation you didn’t know you needed.