The cast of Metro In Dino has been pushing relentlessly to promote their film ever since the trailer launched. From interviews to press show appearances, and now spontaneous public stunts—the frenzy is real. But among all the gimmicks, perhaps the most eyebrow-raising was Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur’s metro train ride, supposedly to ‘connect with the masses’. If even Saif Ali Khan’s daughter has to resort to PR stunts like this, one can’t help but wonder—do they already sense the film is headed for disaster?
It wouldn’t be surprising if director Anurag Basu is privately regretting casting Sara Ali Khan. Once again, the nepotism gods seem to have prevailed over talent, with acting seemingly sidelined. In the trailer, Sara appears to be playing a female version of her father from Humshakals—not a compliment by any stretch. One can't help but question whether any preparation went into her role, which seems to rely heavily on mimicry and inherited expressions.
Adding to the disappointment is the recycled nature of scenes. Several moments in the film appear to be borrowed from earlier works—Sara’s breakdown scene looks eerily similar to one from Love Aaj Kal, while the bike sequence evokes déjà vu from both Love Aaj Kal and Aditya’s OK Jaanu. It makes their storyline in Metro In Dino feel more like a compilation of past performances than something fresh.
Meanwhile, off-screen drama isn’t helping either. Rumours are rife that Sara took on the film to be closer to Aditya Roy Kapur, which set tongues wagging after his alleged breakup with Ananya Panday—Sara's supposed best friend. This triangle has led to Sara being labelled a ‘traitor’ by netizens, who view her proximity to Aditya as a betrayal. Such controversies are likely to tarnish the film’s perception further.
To make matters worse, early box office predictions suggest a dismal opening of ₹2–2.5 crore against a massive ₹125 crore budget. These numbers make it clear why the film’s team is going all out with gimmicky promotions—it’s a scramble to stay relevant.
Anurag Basu’s gamble on a big star cast and the nostalgia of Life in a... Metro may not pay off this time. Prioritising quantity over quality rarely works, and Sara Ali Khan proves to be the weak link. A powerful cast can elevate a story, but it only takes one poorly cast actor to drag it down—and Sara’s performance might just be that deciding factor.
Instead of showcasing relatable emotions, the film has become a running joke online. Sara needs to realise that acting is more than yelling, hand gestures, and nodding—it’s about depth, nuance, and authenticity. Unfortunately, those qualities seem sorely missing here.