Metro… In Dino, releasing today on July 4, 2025, arrives as the spiritual successor to Life in a… Metro (2007). Anurag Basu directs both films, which explore love, confusion, ambition, and heartbreak in urban spaces through multiple intersecting stories. However, beyond these surface-level similarities, there are significant changes, and not all of them function in the same way.
A Quick Look Back at Life in a... Metro (2007)
Released in 2007, Life in a… Metro was a compact, heartfelt film rooted deeply in Mumbai. It told the stories of nine individuals navigating love, betrayal, career, and emotional disconnect in a fast-paced city. With a modest budget of ₹9.5 crore, it earned over ₹24 crore worldwide and was considered a semi-hit. Irrfan Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Kay Kay Menon delivered outstanding performances, and Pritam’s soundtrack instantly became a classic. The film had a grounded feel and a raw honesty that resonated deeply with urban audiences at the time.
Metro… In Dino vs Life in a Metro: Changing Times, Constant Emotions
Fast forward to 2025, ‘Metro …In Dino’, the interconnected narrative format is revived with a new generation of actors, a broader canvas, and a more stylized presentation. Spread across four cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata—the film explores multiple relationships, ranging from young dating app confusion to mid-life marital boredom, as well as questions surrounding identity and sexuality.
The performances range widely. Konkona Sen Sharma once again brings honesty to her role, while Pankaj Tripathi adds humor and emotional depth to the character of Monty—a name that pays tribute to Irrfan Khan’s iconic role in the original. Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal play characters struggling with modern love, ambition, and self-worth. Some arcs land well; others feel underdeveloped or exaggerated. Sara Ali Khan hasn’t received much praise for her performance in early reactions. Her role, while central in one storyline, seems disconnected from the emotional weight of the rest. In contrast, Fatima and Aditya manage to bring charm to otherwise thinly written roles.
Metro… In Dino: More Complicated!
Also Read: Feeling curious about the film’s complete story and cast? 👉 Metro… In Dino (2025): Anurag Basu’s Urban Love Anthology with Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur & More
While Life in a… Metro kept things focused and straightforward. Metro…In Dino tries to do too much. The film is over 2 hours and 40 minutes long, and at times, the plotlines begin to blur into each other. Pritam’s music once again plays a central role—with musical segments appearing between scenes—but this time the use of songs feels more frequent and sometimes overwhelming. One of Arijit Singh’s songs stands out, capturing the emotional tone beautifully, but the rest tend to blend.
There are powerful moments, especially in the stories of older characters and those who face genuine emotional dilemmas. However, there are also stretches where the writing feels disconnected or inconsistent. Specific dialogues and scenes might seem forced or overly symbolic, especially in the climax.
Metro… In Dino is not a direct sequel to Life in a… Metro, but it wants to carry forward the same emotional universe. While the film captures some of the chaos and beauty of modern love, it doesn’t always offer the emotional clarity that made the original special. Still, it’s a visually rich film with solid performances from much of its cast and a few stories that might resonate deeply with today’s audiences.
It’s not perfect, and the patient may not need to be. It’s an ambitious attempt to revisit urban relationships in a changed world. It remains to be seen whether it resonates with audiences in the same way that ‘Life in a…Metro did nearly two decades ago.
