More than a decade after 'Life in a… Metro' captivated audiences with its take on love and life in the city, Anurag Basu’s spiritual follow-up, 'Metro... In Dino', hit theatres on July 5. With a fresh ensemble cast and new stories, the film pays subtle homage to the 2007 classic, especially through the character of Monty,played this time by Pankaj Tripathi.

Pankaj Tripathi on Stepping Into a Legacy

As fans watched the film and noted parallels between the two characters named Monty, Tripathi’s in the new film and Irrfan Khan’s beloved role in the original, comparisons between the actors naturally followed. Addressing the topic in a recent interview with Zoom, Tripathi shared his perspective with humility and admiration.

“Yeh comparison bilkul nahi hona chahiye. Woh mere senior the aur main unka fan rahunga. Mere drama school ke senior the woh. Hum ek hi acting institute se seekhe hain. Main khud unke craft ko dekh ke seekhta tha. Woh Irrfan sir hain, unki jagah hum sabke dilon mein hai,” he said.

The actor’s respectful stance reflects not only his reverence for the late Irrfan but also acknowledges the legacy left behind by the Life in a… Metro star. Irrfan had portrayed Monty as a slightly awkward, sincere man searching for companionship through matrimonial ads, winning hearts with his understated charm and emotional depth.

Konkona Sen Sharma’s Thoughtful Tribute

A particularly moving detail lies in the fact that Pankaj’s character wasn’t originally meant to be named Monty. Director Anurag Basu revealed in an interview with Hindustan Times that it was Konkona Sen Sharma who suggested the homage on the very first day of filming.

“The character was not called Monty. It was Coco's (Konkona) suggestion. 'Let's call him Monty,' she said, and I said, 'Yes, right',” Basu recounted. Konkona herself explained her reasoning, saying, “Because it is such a goofy kind of character,” noting the similarity to Irrfan’s unforgettable portrayal.

A New Chapter in Anurag Basu’s Urban Saga

'Metro… In Dino' continues Basu’s exploration of modern relationships with a fresh, ensemble cast that includes Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh alongside Pankaj and Konkona. Blending multiple storylines and set to a musical backdrop, the film has received praise for its heartfelt storytelling and performances.

The film opened with a promising box office collection of ₹3.5 crore in India and has earned a warm response from both fans of the original and new viewers alike.