Anurag Basu’s highly anticipated release, Metro… In Dino, hit the theatres on July 4, 2025, and audiences are walking out not just humming Pritam’s soulful melodies, but also comparing the film’s emotional weight to its iconic 2007 prequel, Life In A… Metro. Despite the immense praise of the new cast, especially actor Pankaj Tripathi’s heartwarming portrayal of ‘Monty,’ viewers couldn’t help but draw comparisons with the late Irrfan Khan, who immortalised a character of the same name, nearly two decades ago. Pankaj has now broken his silence on the matter.
Pankaj Tripathi reacts to comparisons with Irrfan Khan
While fans and critics alike have praised Tripathi’s subtle humour and emotional depth in Metro.. In Dino, the seasoned actor himself has firmly rejected the idea of replacing the irreplaceable. In a recent chat with Zoom, the Mirzapur star expressed his deep respect and admiration for the late Irrfan Khan, who was his senior at the National School of Drama. He said:
“Yeh comparison bilkul nahi hona chahiye. Voh mere senior the aur main unka fan rahunga. Mere drama school ke senior the voh. Hum ek hi acting institute se seekhe hai. Main khud unke craft ko dekhke seekhta tha. Voh Irrfan sir hai, unki jagah hum sabke dilon mein hai.”
Konkona Sen Sharma supports Pankaj Tripathi against comparisons with Irrfan Khan
In Metro… In Dino, Pankaj Tripathi portrays ‘Monty’, immediately taking the viewers back to Irrfan’s iconic character in the original film, but despite the same name, they are different characters. Konkona, who played ‘Shruti’ opposite Irrfan in Life In A… Metro, and ‘Kajal’ in the sequel, insists this is a completely different narrative. Speaking to Mint, the actress remarked:
“Life In A Metro was 17–18 years ago. That time, Irrfan and I played Shruti and Monty. They were a much younger couple with younger concerns. Now, Pankaj and my characters are different. They are a much older, married couple with kids. They have jobs, EMIs, responsibilities.”
Anurag Basu reveals Irrfan Khan proposed the idea of a Metro sequel
In a recent interview, filmmaker Anurag Basu, a close friend of the late Irrfan Khan, revealed that the idea for the sequel originally came from Irrfan himself. Speaking to News18 Showsha, Basu shared that Irrfan had not only suggested the concept of Metro 2 but had even agreed to be part of the film before his untimely passing. Anurag said:
“Post Jagga Jasoos, Irrfan and I were talking about a sequel to Life In A Metro. He, in fact, had given me the idea to start working on it. He told me, ‘Metro 2 banaate hai.’ He told me about it much later, not immediately after the first film.”
Metro… In Dino was originally meant for Irrfan and Konkona, reveals Anurag Basu
Metro… In Dino, the spiritual sequel to Life In A… Metro, was originally conceived as a continuation of Irrfan Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma’s storyline. Director Anurag Basu revealed to News18 that he had initially planned to reunite the duo and extend their characters’ journey. However, following Irrfan’s untimely passing, the script took a new shape. Konkona remains the only actor from the original cast to return, as Basu felt her presence was integral to the film’s emotional thread.
While Irrfan Khan’s absence is deeply felt by both the original cast and the audience, Anurag Basu honours his legacy in Metro… In Dino with Pankaj Tripathi. Released on July 4, 2025, the film has already earned widespread acclaim.
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