July 4th marked the release of the 18-year-later sequel to the cult classic “Life in a Metro“. Anurag Basu did it again— he brought together love stories, friendships, and families in a heartwarming tale of bonding.
Led by Pritam, Papon, and their crew, Metro… In Dino does not shy away from showcasing the true heroes behind Bollywood, and it starts in that way. The opening sequence involves a triad of musicians strumming their guitars and singing melodiously through the character expositions. Fascinatingly, the movie’s soundtrack is set to be released in two parts, with Side A available on all major streaming platforms.
Metro… In Dino (Side A) – A Walkthrough
The movie achieves a heart-thumping and edge-of-your-seat intrigue as the characters’ lives are intricately woven together, and the voices of Arijit, Shashwat, Pritam, Papon, and many others drive the plot forward. The movie’s most notable track is “Zamana Lage“, sung by Arijit and Shashwat. In its simple melody lies the key to many people’s hearts, making the rollercoaster of emotions felt by the characters spill beyond the screen.
“Dil Ka Kya” comes up right around the intermission time when the plot gets more complex and the characters’ crises reach a penultimate. The song’s rock-inspired vocals pierce the heart and stand in stark contrast with Zamana Lage’s mellow style. In their heartbreak, you transcend generational love stories.
In tracks like “Mann Ye Mera” and “Aur Mohabbat Kitni Karoon“, the synth-laced, choir-like renditions dear to Pritam’s production sense return, and the signature instrumentals, equally adored, make a lasting impact. However, it is in “Yaad” that the switch to traditional rock, carried by Papon’s buttery voice, delivers a gutting punch to the listening experience.
Arijit takes centre stage again in “Mausam“, which is allegedly an alternative take of the title track. Here, his vocals float and his runs are powerful enough to bring the listener to the verge of tears. This version was not premiered in the movie, however has been featured in Side A — a great decision no doubt. In a similar vein, in “Dil Ka Kya – Encore“, we hear Vishal Mishra’s distortions that make one wince at the obvious heartache they’re reminded of. The guitar solos in the track are arguably some of the best from the album, and trust me, there are many.
“Mann Ye Mera – Rewind” also features in the post-interval scenes of the movie, and is not much different from Vishal Mishra’s non-premiered version. Where the track does make a marked departure is in the fun-loving and joy-inducing “Dhaagena Tinak Dhin“, where Sachet Tandon and Akasa Singh deliver a harmonious melody to get the audience jamming.
Thoughts?
“Qayde Se” and “Hote Tak“, both solid tracks, have been released as singles on Pritam’s end and will undoubtedly premiere on Side B. In this way, almost all of the tracks of the movie resonate heavily with the central themes it touches upon. In these magnificent symphonies unfolds the story of infatuation, brimming love, heartbreak, and second chances — all at once. Soul food for the music lovers, Anurag Basu’s film takes advantage of its strong cast and music team and delivers a poignant tale of the times, our metro era. Perhaps you too can pop your earphones on, grab a good seat on the metro, and experience the cinematic rollercoaster that was “Metro… In Dino” and its music.
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