Pankaj Tripathi Calls Anurag Basu His Favourite Director Ahead Of ‘Metro…In Dino’ Release

Pankaj Tripathi has expressed his admiration for director Anurag Basu, describing him as his ‘favourite director’ ahead of the release of their upcoming collaboration, Metro…In Dino, scheduled to hit cinemas on 4 July.

A director-actor synergy

Speaking to IANS, Tripathi further revealed his long-standing desire to work with Basu and praised the director’s unstructured, creative process on set.

“He’s a great director. I’ve wanted to work with him for many years. I would love to do more films with him, if he casts me. He’s my favourite director. We go to his sets freely—no heavy preparation, no rigid planning,” Tripathi said.

Creative freedom on set

Tripathi further explained that Basu allows space for spontaneity and collaborative input, something the actor deeply appreciates.

“I like to contribute creatively, so there’s not too much preparation. While the character and action are prepared, the scene itself often takes shape on the spot,” he added.

This organic approach, he noted, lends a natural rhythm to the storytelling, allowing actors to immerse themselves more fully into their roles.

A story of contemporary relationships

Discussing the theme of the film, Tripathi said that Metro…In Dino explores love and relationships through a modern lens.

“That’s exactly what this film is about. It shows love and relationships from today’s perspective—across different age groups,” he remarked.

Ensemble cast and production team

Directed by Anurag Basu, Metro…In Dino features a stellar ensemble cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, and Neena Gupta, alongside Tripathi himself.

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Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anurag Basu, and Taani Basu produced the film, while Gulshan Kumar and T-Series presented it in association with Anurag Basu Productions Pvt. Ltd. Pritam composed the music for the film.

A spiritual successor to a cult classic

Metro…In Dino is regarded as the spiritual successor to Basu’s 2007 acclaimed drama Life in a…Metro, which featured stars like Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sharman Joshi, and Kangana Ranaut.

That film further explored the intertwined lives of nine Mumbai residents, touching on themes such as extramarital affairs, commitment, and the emotional complexities of urban life.

Partly inspired by Billy Wilder’s classic romantic comedy The Apartment, the new film promises to carry forward the legacy with a fresh narrative, rooted in contemporary social dynamics.

As the release date draws near, Tripathi’s heartfelt endorsement of Basu and the film’s exploration of today’s relationships have already piqued audience interest.