Review Life In A Metro : Es Route Ki Kuch Lines Mast Hain

Life in a…Metro as the name suggests is all about a bunch of middle-class folks and their lives in the metropolitan city, Mumbai. The film mainly focuses on their black and grey shades and in the span of two hours attempts to deliver a realistic look on the issues of Infidelity, Homosexuality, Loveless marriage, Search and desperation for love and shortcuts to win the rat-race.

Now instead of going into detailed description, I rather mention the scoring points of Anurag Basu’s latest effort and the bits that make this film a worthwhile watch.

Point 1: Pairing of Konkona Sen & Irrfan Khan

What do you get when you have a single woman aka. Shruti Ghosh desperately searching for her Mr. Right and nervous about her “still virgin @ 30” status, striking a chord with socially ajeeb 38 year old Monty, who has gone through 28 women via Shaadi.com and considers ‘gawking’ at women’s breasts quite an acceptable habit? Well you are presented with redefinition of the phrase, “Love comes in bizarre packages”.

Speaking of the two actors, now there is no question about their talent, Konkona and Irrfan are undoubtedly one of finest actors in Bollywood today. But in my opinion the main highlight of Life in a Metro is the wacky chemistry they share as a couple. With such ease they blend in their characters that not even once would you consider them as anyone else but Shruti and Monty. Irrfan Khan, the man known for intense roles here displays brilliant comic timing and manages to impress the audience with his every move – the way he asks for Bournvita at a coffee shop, the lies he thopos on prospective brides, the sudden dumfounded look, his innocence and yes, the comfort at which he stares at the opposite women’s private assets. On the other hand, Konkona is as fantastic to watch as always so basically no need to emphasis on that, yet again.

Together they tickle your funny bone to the max. Hopefully we will get to see more of them together in future films.

Point 2: Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa was one my main reasons behind watching this film, I believe an actor’s performance some-what depicts their attitude and mental balance at that point in time. And I have to say Shilpa appears to be well-rooted to the ground inspite of her instant stardom off late. Not only does she look beautiful (a little too thin though) but also manages to give one of her finest performances. As Shikha, a wife and mother who is struggling to cope with a failing marriage and a fling following a chance encounter with a stranger – Shetty has handled the role with sincerity, without ever going over-board with dramatization.

Point 3: Director Anurag Basu

To be able to smoothly blend seven storylines together within 140 minutes is a remarkable effort in itself. Especially when someone like Nikhil Advani failed miserably at it inspite the backing of well-known Bollywood stars. Casting actors that guarantee fine performance even though they are nowhere close to popularity enjoyed by other main stream actors, is most definitely Anurag’s smartest move towards the making of Metro. Agreed his version of realism seems to be slightly exaggerated and his goof-ups regarding Mumbai’s bus route and train lines cannot be missed. But on the whole he does manage to give Life in a Metro, a stylish and comfortable feel which we often don’t get to enjoy in Hindi cinema.

But then again not everything is as honky-dory as one would wish them to be and so here are some serious minus points.

Point 1: Musicians on the Big Screen

Only Mr. Basu has the answer to the question that haunted mostly all of us who watched this film – What in the Lord’s name was he thinking when placing Pritam along with 3 other musicians singing in the backdrop and integrating with the characters? One song is understandable but in all songs is as good as committing suicide. Not only did it turn emotional turning points into laughing stock, this approach also took away the essence of the music from itself. And someone please tell me, is it safe to play electric guitar in heavily pouring rain?

Point 2: Dharmendra and Nafisa Ali storyline

A complete waste of screen time (we could have had more of Shruti and Monty instead). Plus who the heck wants to watch two oldies smooching?

Point 3: Ghasa-pita climax.

I quote this line from film Mr. India, “Gayi bahns pani main” and according to me this is the most suitable way to describe the ending of Life in Metro. All the effort wasted with a typical filmy ending.

As a final verdict, despite Life in a Metro’s blotchy drawbacks I would still urge you to watch this film simply for Shruti-Debu combo along with other fine performances.