Aditya Roy Kapur on Metro… In Dino: 'It's about stripping yourself bare'

Anurag Basu is revisiting the universe that he created with Life in a... Metro (2007) after a nearly 18-year hiatus. Metro... In Dino is set to be released soon and is being marketed as a thematic successor to the original. The trailer, which was released earlier this week, gives an idea of the complicated relationships and human emotions that will be explored in the film.

Headlining the ensemble is Aditya Roy Kapur, who, following their collaboration in Ludo (2020), is back with Basu. Coming back to the director's distinctive storytelling style, which features complex plots and flawed people, was like coming home for the actor. In an interview with Mid Day, as the actor puts it, there is honesty in how Basu writes his relationships. This authenticity is what makes his films unique.

Reuniting with Anurag Basu

Aditya appears among a stellar ensemble in Metro... In Dino, which also features Sara Ali Khan (Kedarnath), Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi (Main Atal Hoon), Fatima Sana Shaikh (Sam Bahadur), Konkona Sensharma, and Ali Fazal (Happy Bhag Jayegi). In his view, Basu's creations are reflective of reality since they include "lost souls seeking answers, flawed people trying to be better, and almost everyone wishing to find love amid their hustle in the city.

Particularly difficult, according to the actor, were the musical changes that were integral to the plot of the film. He said that to experience the depth of his love, grief, and yearning, one must expose oneself to the story in its most raw form. The cast also had to learn how to transition from speaking to singing and back to talking as part of this project's musical component. Thus, navigating that was rewarding but challenging.

Love for slice-of-life stories

Aditya has been in the movie industry for over 15 years, and although he has dabbled in several genres (romantic dramas, action thrillers, etc.), he claims that slice-of-life films are his favourites. For him, playing a larger-than-life character is a blessing, but so are the little details and uncomfortable silences, as those things help an actor develop.

He brought a carefree vitality to the role of his eccentric character in Metro... In Dino, according to the description. Aditya said that in this setting, his character is unique. For that reason, the actor was able to enjoy himself while using it. His most recent role was in The Night Manager (2023), and he believes it's beneficial to transition from a heavy role to something lighter.

Thrill of stepping into the unknown

Looking back on his career, Aditya says he loves taking on new roles because they push him. Embracing new experiences is a key part of his acting development. When venturing into uncharted territory, it's natural for the actor to feel a twinge of apprehension. He said that being on the edge of fear is when they are most present and may even inspire them to perform at their peak. It's liberating for Aditya to be uncertain since it forces them to try something new—something they have never done before.

When asked what he hopes audiences take away from the film, he simply said that he hopes people see themselves in it.

Metro... In Dino is set to hit theatres on July 4, 2025.