The Indian movie, `Life in a Metro` sets out to deliver a realistic and unpretentious look at the lives and emotions of a handful of city dwellers in contemporary Mumbai. This is indeed a good attempt, though does not sweep the viewer`s off their feet completely. Metro is all about emotional, witty and a realistic depiction of urban relationships. The director well attempts to explore the complexities of various different relationships that exist in a cosmopolitan city. The film also depicts how the characters tend to forget their identities and also leave behind the ones who matter the most in order to fulfill their dreams and ambitions. Here six stories running parallel but the director manages to connect and intertwine them well. The script of the film has a strong depth and message within it. The film manages well to captivate the audiences who actually tend to identify with some or the other situation in the film. Metro is undoubtedly a realistic and engaging film.
The film actually tries to give us a feel of the modern cosmopolitan cities. The world is becoming smaller. Cell phones have cut down distances. Low cost airlines have got cities closer. There`s less time for breakfast even lesser time for dinner and no time for lunch. No time for babies also. The sensex is rising. Malls in every corner. Multiplexes are the only way to watch movies. The seven-year itch has come down to 7 months or may be sometimes or lesser; depending on how ambitious one is. We are getting bored too soon. Too many choices. Too many dreams. Not enough sleep. Always tension. All are messed up everywhere. The clear picture of metro life is depicted in the movie and it`s a well try.
One part of the movie played by Sharman Joshi, Kangna Ranaut and Kay Kay Menon, are inspired by the Hollywood film `The Apartment`.
Synopsis of `Life In A Metro`
The Indian movie `Life In A Metro` starts in a busy metro covering all the angles of human life. Rahul played by Sharman Joshi is one such young man with dreams, working as a call center executive in a BPO in Mumbai. He silently loves Neha played by Kangana Ranaut without her notice. She is a smart young woman who has made it up the ranks in a very short time. Hard work is not her only secret. She has done it only because her boss, Ranjeet loves her and is willing to shower her with gifts and opportunities, only if she is willing. It all gives a sign of give and take relationship.
Neha`s Boss Ranjeet played by Kay Kay Menon is in his 30`s. He is married to Shikha played by Shilpa Shetty with a 6 year old daughter. Shikha is very well educated and was a better student than Ranjeet. She is also a talented dancer. She was working and was earning more than her husband. They decided that she should stay back at home and take care of the house and the kid. So Ranjeet ventured out on his quest for money and success and forgot his family somewhere on the way. Bitterness and boredom crept into their relationship. Soon, he found solace and a fresh lease on life in Neha.
Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, Shikha starts searching peace in something else. And in the course of time when she visits her Bharatnatyam teacher Shivani played by Nafisa Ali she meets Akash. She soon gets attracted to him who is a loser and a rebel without a cause, Akash played by Shiney Ahuja is a struggling theatre artist whose wife divorces him because she cannot stand his failures anymore. Akash and Shikha`s love blossoms and she almost crosses her limits that she has so fervently guarded all these years.
Amol played by Dharmendra is a 70 year old man who has returned to India after 40 years to spend last few years of his life with his first love, Shivani. This lady, who is Shikha`s dance teacher, lives in an old age home and gives moral strength to Shikha. Amol left Shivani in young age in search of something else and when he got everything he realises that his life is not with him and he is suffereing from brain tumour.
Shikha`s sister and Neha`s room-mate, Shruti played by Konkona Sen Sharma works at Radio Mirchi as a producer. She is a virgin at the age of 28 and is desperate to get married. She is dreamy eyed about her RJ, Wishy K. Her boss hooks her up with Wishy K. She also meets Monty played by Irfan Khan through a matrimonial site, but she is unimpressed by the straight-forward and socially feckless Monty. When Monty stares at her, she is infuriated. Monty however, likes her and is ready to marry her. Her affair with Wishy K blossoms.
Rahul devises a novel strategy to step up the ladder of success. Most of the men in his office look for places to take their mistresses, girlfriends or prostitutes. He provides the perfect place to satisfy their sexual desire. His apartment which he has to take care in absence of his uncle. And the cost of this is definitely a recommendation for his out of turn promotion. After knowing the fact Ranjeet asks Rahul for the key and takes Neha to the apartment. In one of their secret meetings Neha asks Ranjeet about their future or at least a commitment. Ranjeet makes it very clear that she should not even think of a commitment. She is giving him something and in return of this he is paying her good perks. He also tells her that in worst case if she needs some money he can also pay the said amount. He insults her drastically and leaves. She tries to commit suicide. Rahul discovers her in his apartment and takes care of her. They share some loving moments, come closer but still she`s unsure about him.
Shruti discovers that Wishy K is a gay and he has relation with their boss only who insisted her to go with Wishy. She leaves the job and joins a new job where she meets Monty. Slowly, she sees the warm and caring person that Monty is and falls in love with him. Monty also tries a lot telling Shruti that if she does not test any person how can she give the judgement that he is not right for her. Meanwhile the cat is out of the bag when Shruti comes to know about Ranjeet and Neha. Ranjeet panics and confessed to Shikha about his relationship with Neha. An already guilt-stricken Shikha cannot hold it in any longer and tells him about her affair with Akash. Ironically, Ranjeet is shocked and angry, and decides to leave his wife. Shivani dies of heart attack who was leaving with Amol rather eloped from the old age home in against to her son`s wish. Amol regrets the decision to leave Shivani 40 years back, stressing the importance of love to Shikha and Shruti. Shruti clears her confusion and runs to Monty and tells him that she loves him. Monty seriously tells Shruti that all the clothes are stitched according to the bride`s measurement and how can it be possible now. Shruti gets angry and runs to the railway station.
Meanwhile Akash decides to leave the country and invites Shikha to join him. On the other hand, Rahul is disillusioned with the way the metro has treated him and takes the bold step of resigning and decides to leave town. Neha realizes that Rahul really loves her, and chases him to the station. When Neha leaves Ranjeet, he immediately switches tracks and returns to Shikha, who is just about to leave for the station to see Akash.
Neha chases Rahul. Monty chases Shruti. Shikha comes to the station but evidently not to accompany Akash. She wishes him good luck, tells him that she will miss him, and goes back home, back to Ranjeet. They all meet or cross each other at the railway station, and go ahead on their own paths with lives they wanted; or whatever the metro had destined for them.
While the credits roll, we are shown that Akash still roams at the streets of Mumbai, probably looking for a job. Shikha sees him and seems to have feelings for him, but has chosen her daughter`s happiness over her own. Amol is leading the remainder of his life missing Shivani, but he realizes that he will always have the sweet moments that he and Shivani had together. Rahul has finally fulfilled his father`s dream of owning a restaurant and is living happily with Neha. Shruti and Monty are happily married and have a kid- Monty`s eye still wanders but Shruti has learnt to take it in her stride.
Cast and Crew of `Life In A Metro
The star cast of the film includes Irfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kay Kay Menon, Shiney Ahuja, Shilpa Shetty, Kangana Ranaut, Sharman Joshi, Dharmendra, and Nafisa Ali. Among the crewmembers the film is written and directed by Anurag Basu, while Ronnie Screwvala produces it. Music is given by Pritam Chakraborty and cinematography is done by Bobby Singh.
Awards for `Life In A Metro`
The Bollywood movie `Life In A Metro` is already nominated for many awards in different award giving ceremonies in the year 2008.