Anurag Basu's upcoming film, "Metro...In Dino," is not just a sequel to his 2007 hit "Life in a... Metro," but also a heartfelt tribute to the late actor Irrfan Khan and singer KK. At a recent promotional event for the film, Basu shared emotional moments from the set, revealing how deeply the absence of these two artists was felt by the cast and crew.
Konkona Sen Sharma, who starred alongside Irrfan Khan in "Life in a... Metro," is the only returning cast member in "Metro...In Dino." Basu recounted a poignant moment during filming when Konkona became tearful during a scene that evoked memories of the original film and her time working with Irrfan. "We were filming a scene, and the tone for it was a little similar to a scene from the first film. Suddenly, Konkona started crying," Basu shared, highlighting the lasting impact Irrfan had on his colleagues. He also expressed his worry about how they would handle questions about Irrfan, emphasizing how much they miss him.
The director also paid tribute to singer KK, who had lent his voice to two of the most iconic tracks from "Life in a... Metro" – "Alvida" and "O Meri Jaan." KK's sudden demise in 2022 left a void in the music industry and among those who had worked with him. Basu acknowledged the collective sentiment, stating, "We miss him; we miss KK very much, and there are many others who are missing now, with whom we collaborated earlier." This acknowledgment extended to other crew members who are no longer with them, showcasing the deep bonds formed during cinematic collaborations.
Konkona Sen Sharma also reflected on her connection with Irrfan Khan, stating that there were many moments during the shoot when she missed him. She hinted that the film itself would make the emotional connection clear to the audience. The absence of Irrfan was particularly poignant in certain scenes, reminding everyone of his immense talent and presence.
"Metro...In Dino" is positioned as a thematic follow-up to "Life in a... Metro," with interconnected stories about relationships in urban India. The film features a star-studded cast, including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anurag Basu, and Taani Basu. The music is composed by Pritam, with the first song, "Zamaana Lage," sung by Arijit Singh and Shashwat Singh.
Scheduled for release on July 4, 2025, "Metro...In Dino" is not just a film but also a tribute to the memories and connections forged in "Life in a... Metro." It serves as a reminder of the talented individuals who have left a lasting impact on the film industry and continue to be deeply missed by their colleagues and fans. The film is the final chapter of Basu's trilogy of hyperlinked cinema, following "Life in a... Metro" and "Ludo".