Metro In Dino Was Meant For Irrfan Khan & Konkona Sen, Says Anurag Basu
Anurag Basu has won hearts with his recently released film Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to Irrfan Khan starrer Life in a… Metro. While it took Anurag almost two decades to return to the franchise, what stayed with him was the memory of Irrfan Khan.
In an exclusive chat with News18, Anurag discussed his musical romantic drama in detail and revealed why Konkona Sen Sharma was the only returning cast member while the rest of the ensemble was fresh.
'Vo, kya hai… Sabse pehle jab maine likhna shuru kiya tha, toh 3–4 saal pehle ek baar likh ke maine usko side mein rakh diya tha. When I was writing that film, Konkona aur Irrfan ki story main aage le ke jaa raha tha — from the earlier Metro. Phir uske baad maine Metro banayi nahi, main dusri filmon mein busy ho gaya. Jab wapas visit kiya toh yeh hi kahani meri likhi hui thi. Konkona ki casting mere dimaag mein pehle se thi, toh naturally… I called her," Anurag shared.
While most filmmakers cast actors first, Basu agreed when we asked if he had cast the singers first for Metro… In Dino. After laughing it off, he admitted that Pritam was always on his mind and said, 'Konkona and Pritam were the first final casting for this film."
Anurag Basu has long treated music not just as a background element but as a character in itself. His musicals have a distinct soul. When asked if he believes India is ready for musicals, he said, 'Yes, absolutely. If you look back at the old films, where our cinema began, this is our history. We had lost our way somewhere in the middle."
But does that deep connection to music leave him anxious about the outcome? Not quite. 'If you overthink so much, it becomes difficult to make a film with honesty. Then it turns into — will this work or not, let's do this instead, let's add that — that's dishonesty towards the film, isn't it? Just make it with honesty and give it your best. If you're making a film just to please everyone, then it's better to make rajma chawal instead — why make a film at all?" he concluded.
On the work front, Anurag Basu is enjoying rave reviews for Metro… In Dino, which features an ensemble cast including Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Sara Ali Khan. Up next, he is working on a musical drama starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela in the lead roles.
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