?Life in a?Metro ? One city, Countless emotions.? Directed by Anurag Basu, the movie manifestly demonstrates the hard-pressed life of metro-ites, the conflicts of the emotional and sensible mindset of such people. The growing demand in both domestic and professional life blindfolds the sense of contentment and appreciation of what is already there and seeks pleasure in needless deeds. There is no end to search, but time does meet an end.
To describe in few words, ‘Metro’ is a movie that tells different stories with one common theme: complexities of relationships. It also illustrates how one succumbs to the worst conduct just to earn riches and rank.
The movie gives equal significance to all the characters and does not focus just on a single protagonist. The story is about seven individuals whose lives are interestingly interlinked. None of them are of the same temperament but their needs are alike, which they seek in one another.
Rahul (Sharman Joshi) works as an executive in a BPO in the metro city Mumbai. Rahul is a tacit lover and admires his boss Neha. To him life is not a morning walk but a race, and to win in the race he doesn?t mind stopping low in ethics. He loans his apartment to philandering bosses as a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He aims to make money to fulfill his dead father?s desire, to own a restaurant.
Neha (Kangna Ranaut) progression in the ranks of the company was not due to her dedication towards work but because of the fondness that she shares with her boss Ranjeet. Their easy going relationship takes an unexpected twist when Neha upbraids Ranjeet for exploiting her and not being committed to her.
Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon) is a married man. He has a 6 year old daughter and lives with his wife Shikha. Soon his married life turns into a bed of thorns and he finds life in Neha. Ranjeeth wants Neha just to fulfill his physical desires and doesn?t want to involve into any commitments.
Meanwhile, Shikha (Shilpa Shetty) is an educated urban girl who chooses to give up her profession and other desires to concentrate on her family. She is attracted towards Akash and seeks solace in the company of this friendly stranger on the metro and results in a battle of conscience.
Akash (Shiney Ahuja) is a rebellion and a loser without a cause. He is a divorcee and a failure because he could never achieve anything in life. Akash and Shikha?s love blossoms and they almost cross their limits. Unlike his failure in his first marriage and professional life, will this new relationship succeed, is something unpredictable.
Shikha?s sister Shruti (Konkana Sen Sharma) is an employee at Radiomirchi. She is a virginal singleton who hunts the web pages of ‘shaadi.com’ in search of an eligible husband and it is there that she meets the enigmatic Debu (Irrfan Khan).
Amol [Dharmendra] is a 70-year-old man who returns to India after 40 years. He wishes to spend the last few years of his life with his first love, Vaijanti [Nafisa Ali].
Acting:
Shilpa Shetty conveys her character’s anguish, delivering a mature piece of performances adding a feather to her acting abilities. Kay Kay Menon as a cold, self-serving corporate man, and with his grim deportment carries the character exceptionally well. Irfan Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma can always be counted on to deliver well-formed characters. Khan brings an alluring charm to Debu creating a character that remains memorable for his quirks and outspokenness. Konkona Sen as ever delivers a natural and believable performance. She is not hugely challenged by her role as the character is not demanding. Sharman Joshi is well cast as the ambitions young aspirant who ultimately reveals a heart. Kangana is not in form this time. Her character holds some similarity with that of her roles in Gangster and Woh Lamhe. Dharmendra?s and Nafisa Ali?s performance is commendable. Both outshine equally in their character portrayal.
Direction:
Director Anurag Basu’s has chosen a contemporary theme and the plot construction of such a complex story line is worthy. But the story gives an appearance of insipidness. The result of few relationships seems hasty and floundering. The appearance of the Metro band at every point of twist and suffering throughout the movie is slightly irritating and are doldrums. The film engages, mostly because of the characterisation and a storyline that offers an interesting venture into city life. Dharmendra on screen, making a special appearance as an aged paramour reunited with his lost love, is a surprise element of the movie.
Positives:
The contemporary and emotional theme, strong performance from the core cast, and good cinematography is worth mentioning. Few scenes leave back a strong impact as they set an example to human emotions and sentiments. The sequence when Shiney and Shilpa are about to absorb themselves physically, Vaijanti and Dharmendra?s meeting at the railway station, and Shilpa?s decision to go back to the heartless husband, are the scenes to be quoted accurately.
Negatives:
The movie has air of dryness and dullness because of its flawed writing. The appearance of the Metro band at constant interval is annoying.
The initial business at multiplex might go well. Least chance of being a box office hit. The film slumbers ones curiosity.
Rating: 
