Life In A Metro - Anuraag Basu's Multistarrer
Starring Irfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shiney Ahuja, Shilpa Shetty
Life in a Metro is the journey of four different couples as they grapple with complex emotional challenges in big city life. Although the cast comprises mainly character actors instead of stars, it was fairly successful commercially.
Four Parallel Storylines
The story revolves around two sisters, Shikha (Shilpa Shetty) and Shruti (Konkona Sen Sharma). Shilpa is not very happily married to a corporate executive Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon) and has a small daughter. Although once deeply in love, the couple have drifted apart over the years. Shikha is drawn towards a stranger Akash (Shiney Ahuja) whom she meets on a train during her daily travels. Her husband is now engaged in a clandestine affair with Neha (Kangna Ranaut), an office employee who is rewarded with special company perks in return for her favors.
The extramarital liasion flourishes in a small subarban apartment, and the apartment caretaker Rahul(Sherman Joshi) is another company employee. He needs money and other miscellaneous aid for his start up business, and his needs too are taken care of by the errant boss.
The clandestine affair runs into trouble when Neha tires of playing the other woman. She turns increasingly neurotic, and ultimately attempts suicide. Ranjit requests Rahul to help her rehabilitate after the failed attempt, as he himself dare not come out in the open about his relationship. Rahul and Neha grow closer, and reexamine their priorities in life. Rahul realizes his role in facilitating a liasion that almost cost Neha her life, and refuses to hand over the apartment keys when his boss tries to resume the affair.
Shruti is Neha's roommate, although she is unaware that Neha is her brother-in-law's mistress. Shruti also struggles to find a life partner. She meets Monty (Irfan khan) but rejects him as she thinks he is indecent. She is outraged when her next love interest turns out to be homosexual. Monty gets enagaged to another woman, but fate brings them together when Shruti meets him again during a job interview. Once they get to know each other, Shruti begins to see things differently.
A Slice of Contemporary Life
Life in a Metro has nine accomplished actors in its star cast, and each delivers a convincing performance. Director Anuraag Basu is totally in control as he weaves together at least four complex interlocking storylines. The film is well edited and the screenplay matches the direction. Although the theme deals with everyday big city life, even the smallest subplot holds your attention. As the characters struggle with their moral dilemnas, the climax suddenly emerges.
However, Life in a Metro was criticized as some of its scenes, specifically from the Ranjeet-Neha-Rahul triangle, were inspired from The Apartment. Pritam's music was commercially successful, but heavily accused of plagiarism. Nevertheless it is another example of realism making its mark in an industry dominated by fairytale storylines.
Released in: 2007
Directed by: Anuraag Basu
Starring: Irfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shiney Ahuja, Shilpa Shetty, Kay Kay Menon, Sharman Joshi, Kangna Ranaut, Dharmendra, Nafisa Ali
Run time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Music: Pritham
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