Life in a... Metro
Encyclopedia
Life in a... Metro is a 2007 Hindi film directed by Anurag Basu
, set in Mumbai
, and starring Dharmendra
, Nafisa Ali, Shilpa Shetty
, Shiney Ahuja
, Kay Kay Menon
, Kangana Ranaut, Sharman Joshi
, Konkona Sen Sharma
and Irrfan Khan in pivotal roles. The music is composed by Pritam
with lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. The film was released on 11 May 2007. The film narrates the individual lives of nine people living in Mumbai, and deals with topics like extramarital affairs, sanctity of marriage, and love. The film is loosely based on the 1960 movie The Apartment
.
) is a young man with dreams, working as a call center executive in a BPO
in Mumbai. He silently loves Neha (Kangana Ranaut), a smart young woman who has made it up the ranks in a very short time, due to her relationship with her boss, Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon
).
In his 30s, Ranjeet is married to Shikha (Shilpa Shetty
) and has a six-year-old daughter. Shikha is well educated, and a trained dancer. Ranjeet and Shikha decided that she should stay back at home and take care of the house and their child. Their eight-year marriage has turned loveless and bitter.
Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, Shikha is attracted to maverick Akash (Shiney Ahuja
). Akash is a struggling theater artist who is separated from his wife. Akash and Shikha's relationship starts as friendship and almost blossoms romantically, until Shikha feels guilty and cannot cross the limits that she has so fervently guarded all these years.
Amol (Dharmendra
) is a 70-year-old man who has returned to India after 40 years to spend his last few years with his first love, Shivani (Nafisa Ali), who is also Shikha's former dance teacher.
Shikha's sister and Neha's roommate Shruti (Konkona Sen Sharma
) works in at Radio Mirchi
as a producer. She is 28 and desperate to get married. She meets Monty (Irrfan Khan, in an award-winning comedy role) through a matrimonial site, but she is unimpressed by the straightforward and socially inept Monty. While Monty likes her and is ready to marry her, she declines when she finds him ogling her. She is, however, dreamy-eyed about her RJ, Rishi K. Her boss hooks her up with Rishi K, and her relationship with him blossoms.
Rahul has a novel strategy to rise up the ladder of success. He provides his flat to his superiors at the office, where they can safely bring their mistresses, girlfriends or prostitutes, in return for recommendation for his promotion. Ranjeet also uses the flat to meet Neha.
Amidst one of their escapades in Rahul's flat, Neha asks Ranjeet about their future, which leads to an argument. He insults her and leaves. Indignant, she attempts suicide. Rahul finds her lying unconscious, and saves her. He brings her back to his house, which brings them closer.
Shruti is heartbroken when she discovers that Rishi K is gay. She leaves the job and gets a new one where she again meets Monty. Slowly, they become friends. Meanwhile, Shruti comes to know about Ranjeet and Neha. Ranjeet panics and confesses to Shikha of his two-year affair with Neha. An already guilt-stricken Shikha cannot hold it in any longer and tells him about her emotional relationship with Akash. Ranjeet is shocked and angry, and decides to leave his wife.
Shivani dies. Amol regrets the decision to leave Shivani 40 years back, stressing the importance of love to Shikha and Shruti. Shruti realizes that she loves Monty and tells him so just as he is about to go for his wedding. Meanwhile Akash decides to leave the country and asks Shikha to join him. On the other hand, Rahul is disillusioned with the way the metro has treated him and decides to resign and leave the city. Neha realizes that Rahul really loves her and follows him to the station. Ranjeet 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 not to accompany Akash. She wishes him good luck, tells him that she will miss him.
While the credits roll, we are shown Akash still roaming the streets of Mumbai, Shikha and Ranjeet are in a happier marriage, and Rahul is living happily with Neha. Shruti and Monty are also happily married and have a kid.
appearance, the film became a semi-hit at the box office with a 50-55% response.
, Suhail Kaul, Soham Chakraborty and Bangladesh
i singer James
. Bob Dylan
's "I Want You
" plays in the background when Shruti and Rishi are at a vending machine and Shruti mistakes Rishi to be gesturing and speaking with her. The song does not appear on the soundtrack.
2008 Zee Cine Award
2008 IIFA Awards
Other awards
Anurag Basu
Anurag Basu is an Indian film director and writer, known for directing films that tackle the themes of dark passion and adultery like Life in a... Metro, Gangster and Murder. Basu was nominated in the Best Director category at the 53rd Filmfare Awards in 2008 for Life in a... Metro. He has also...
, set in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, and starring Dharmendra
Dharmendra
Dharmendra Singh Deol |Punjab]]), better known as Dharmendra, is an award-winning Hindi film actor who has appeared in more than 247 Hindi-language films as of 2011. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema and also another Lifetime...
, Nafisa Ali, Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar , she has appeared in nearly 40 Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, her first leading role being in the 1994 Aag. Although she has been through years of decline during her career, Shetty has been...
, Shiney Ahuja
Shiney Ahuja
Shiney Ahuja is an Indian actor who won the Filmfare Best Debut Award for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2006.- Early life :...
, Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
, Kangana Ranaut, Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
, Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
and Irrfan Khan in pivotal roles. The music is composed by Pritam
Pritam
Pritam Chakraborty , better known as Pritam is a music director and composer from Kolkata who currently works in Bollywood, Mumbai.- Early life :...
with lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. The film was released on 11 May 2007. The film narrates the individual lives of nine people living in Mumbai, and deals with topics like extramarital affairs, sanctity of marriage, and love. The film is loosely based on the 1960 movie The Apartment
The Apartment
The Apartment is a 1960 American comedy-drama film produced and directed by Billy Wilder, and starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. It was Wilder's follow-up to the enormously popular Some Like It Hot and, like its predecessor, was a commercial and critical hit, grossing $25...
.
Synopsis
Rahul (Sharman JoshiSharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
) is a young man with dreams, working as a call center executive in a BPO
Business process outsourcing
Business process outsourcing is a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of specific business functions to a third-party service provider. Originally, this was associated with manufacturing firms, such as Coca Cola that outsourced large segments...
in Mumbai. He silently loves Neha (Kangana Ranaut), a smart young woman who has made it up the ranks in a very short time, due to her relationship with her boss, Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
).
In his 30s, Ranjeet is married to Shikha (Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar , she has appeared in nearly 40 Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, her first leading role being in the 1994 Aag. Although she has been through years of decline during her career, Shetty has been...
) and has a six-year-old daughter. Shikha is well educated, and a trained dancer. Ranjeet and Shikha decided that she should stay back at home and take care of the house and their child. Their eight-year marriage has turned loveless and bitter.
Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, Shikha is attracted to maverick Akash (Shiney Ahuja
Shiney Ahuja
Shiney Ahuja is an Indian actor who won the Filmfare Best Debut Award for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2006.- Early life :...
). Akash is a struggling theater artist who is separated from his wife. Akash and Shikha's relationship starts as friendship and almost blossoms romantically, until Shikha feels guilty and cannot cross the limits that she has so fervently guarded all these years.
Amol (Dharmendra
Dharmendra
Dharmendra Singh Deol |Punjab]]), better known as Dharmendra, is an award-winning Hindi film actor who has appeared in more than 247 Hindi-language films as of 2011. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema and also another Lifetime...
) is a 70-year-old man who has returned to India after 40 years to spend his last few years with his first love, Shivani (Nafisa Ali), who is also Shikha's former dance teacher.
Shikha's sister and Neha's roommate Shruti (Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
) works in at Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....
as a producer. She is 28 and desperate to get married. She meets Monty (Irrfan Khan, in an award-winning comedy role) through a matrimonial site, but she is unimpressed by the straightforward and socially inept Monty. While Monty likes her and is ready to marry her, she declines when she finds him ogling her. She is, however, dreamy-eyed about her RJ, Rishi K. Her boss hooks her up with Rishi K, and her relationship with him blossoms.
Rahul has a novel strategy to rise up the ladder of success. He provides his flat to his superiors at the office, where they can safely bring their mistresses, girlfriends or prostitutes, in return for recommendation for his promotion. Ranjeet also uses the flat to meet Neha.
Amidst one of their escapades in Rahul's flat, Neha asks Ranjeet about their future, which leads to an argument. He insults her and leaves. Indignant, she attempts suicide. Rahul finds her lying unconscious, and saves her. He brings her back to his house, which brings them closer.
Shruti is heartbroken when she discovers that Rishi K is gay. She leaves the job and gets a new one where she again meets Monty. Slowly, they become friends. Meanwhile, Shruti comes to know about Ranjeet and Neha. Ranjeet panics and confesses to Shikha of his two-year affair with Neha. An already guilt-stricken Shikha cannot hold it in any longer and tells him about her emotional relationship with Akash. Ranjeet is shocked and angry, and decides to leave his wife.
Shivani dies. Amol regrets the decision to leave Shivani 40 years back, stressing the importance of love to Shikha and Shruti. Shruti realizes that she loves Monty and tells him so just as he is about to go for his wedding. Meanwhile Akash decides to leave the country and asks Shikha to join him. On the other hand, Rahul is disillusioned with the way the metro has treated him and decides to resign and leave the city. Neha realizes that Rahul really loves her and follows him to the station. Ranjeet 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 not to accompany Akash. She wishes him good luck, tells him that she will miss him.
While the credits roll, we are shown Akash still roaming the streets of Mumbai, Shikha and Ranjeet are in a happier marriage, and Rahul is living happily with Neha. Shruti and Monty are also happily married and have a kid.
Cast
- Shiney AhujaShiney AhujaShiney Ahuja is an Indian actor who won the Filmfare Best Debut Award for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2006.- Early life :...
as Akash - Shilpa ShettyShilpa ShettyShilpa Shetty is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar , she has appeared in nearly 40 Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, her first leading role being in the 1994 Aag. Although she has been through years of decline during her career, Shetty has been...
as Shikha - Kay Kay MenonKay Kay MenonKay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
as Ranjeet - Sharman JoshiSharman JoshiSharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
as Rahul - Konkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
as Shruti - Kangna RanautKangna RanautKangna Ranaut is an Indian actress who appears mostly in Hindi films. She made her acting debut in 2006 with a leading role in Gangster. She won both a Filmfare and a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a troubled model in Fashion .-Early life:Ranaut was born to...
as Neha - Irrfan Khan as Monty
- DharmendraDharmendraDharmendra Singh Deol |Punjab]]), better known as Dharmendra, is an award-winning Hindi film actor who has appeared in more than 247 Hindi-language films as of 2011. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema and also another Lifetime...
as Amol - Nafisa Ali as Shivani
- Ashwin MushranAshwin MushranAshwin Mushran is a voice over artist and thespian who currently resides in Mumbai, India. He has appeared in numerous movies and plays. He is also featured in the Quick Gun Murugan movie, as Dr...
as Shruti's Boss - Manoj Pahwa as Rahul's Neighbour (Doctor)
- Vicky Ahuja as Rahul's Boss (Gupta)
- Gautam Kapoor as RJ
- Soham Chakraborty
- PritamPritamPritam Chakraborty , better known as Pritam is a music director and composer from Kolkata who currently works in Bollywood, Mumbai.- Early life :...
- JamesJames (Nagar Baul)Faruk Mahfuj Anam , known simply as James is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and composer. He was a member of the band Feelings and later formed the band Nagar Baul...
Box office
Life in a... Metro was the 26th highest grossing Indian film of 2007 with a gross of Rs. 24,83,00,000. With the help of publicity from Shilpa Shetty's Celebrity Big BrotherCelebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother could refer to:*Any series of Celebrity Big Brother UK:** Celebrity Big Brother 2001 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2002 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2005 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2006 ** Celebrity Big Brother 2007...
appearance, the film became a semi-hit at the box office with a 50-55% response.
Music
The soundtrack was released in 21 August 2007. Life In A... Metros music was composed by Pritam Chakraborty with lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. In the film, a rock band led by Pritam plays at important junctures and takes the story forward. This is considered to be a first in Indian film. The entire music score in Life In A... Metro is heavily rock-oriented. The four-member band along with PritamPritam
Pritam Chakraborty , better known as Pritam is a music director and composer from Kolkata who currently works in Bollywood, Mumbai.- Early life :...
, Suhail Kaul, Soham Chakraborty and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i singer James
James (Nagar Baul)
Faruk Mahfuj Anam , known simply as James is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and composer. He was a member of the band Feelings and later formed the band Nagar Baul...
. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "I Want You
I Want You (Bob Dylan song)
"I Want You" is a 1966 song recorded by Bob Dylan. It was issued as a single in June 1966, shortly before the release of its accompanying album, Blonde on Blonde. A live version of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" was included as a B-side...
" plays in the background when Shruti and Rishi are at a vending machine and Shruti mistakes Rishi to be gesturing and speaking with her. The song does not appear on the soundtrack.
Track listing
- "In Dino" - Soham Chakraborty
- "Alvida" - KK
- "O Meri Jaan" - KK
- "Rishtey" - JamesJames (Nagar Baul)Faruk Mahfuj Anam , known simply as James is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and composer. He was a member of the band Feelings and later formed the band Nagar Baul...
- "Baatein Kuch Ankahein Si" - Adnan SamiAdnan SamiAdnan Sami is a British-born Pakistani-Indian- Canadian singer, musician, pianist, actor and composer of Pakistani origin. He currently holds Canadian citizenship and works and lives in Mumbai, India...
- "Kar Salaam" - Suhail Kaul, Soham Chakraborty & Pritam Chakraborty
- "Alvida (Reprise)" - JamesJames (Nagar Baul)Faruk Mahfuj Anam , known simply as James is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist and composer. He was a member of the band Feelings and later formed the band Nagar Baul...
- "O Meri Jaan (Reprise)" - Suhail Kaul
- "Baatein Kuch Ankahein Si (Unplugged)" - Suhail Kaul
Awards
2008 Filmfare AwardsFilmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
- Best Supporting ActressFilmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
- Konkona Sen Sharma - Best Supporting ActorFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
- Irrfan Khan - Best ScreenplayFilmfare Best Screenplay AwardThe Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.-Superlatives:Most AwardsSalim-Javed - 3Basu Chatterjee - 2Mani Ratnam - 2Vijay Tendulkar - 2Rajkumar Hirani - 2...
- Anurag Basu
2008 Zee Cine Award
- Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female - Shilpa Shetty
2008 IIFA Awards
- Best Supporting ActressIIFA Best Supporting Actress AwardThe IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony.The award is given in the current year but the actress who wins it is awarded for the previous year.The winners are listed below:-- See also :...
- Konkona Sen Sharma - Best Supporting ActorIIFA Best Supporting Actor AwardThe IIFA Best Supporting Actor is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony. Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal and Abhishek Bachchan are leading with 2 wins.The winners are listed below:-- See also :* IIFA Awards* Bollywood...
- Irrfan Khan - Best Screenplay - Anurag Basu (jointly with Jaideep Sahni for Chak De IndiaChak De IndiaChak De! India is a 2007 Indian sports films about field hockey in India. It is directed by Shimit Amin, produced by Yash Raj Films, written by Jaideep Sahni, sports action by ReelSports, and stars Shahrukh Khan as Kabir Khan, the former captain of the Indian hockey team. After a disastrous loss...
)
Other awards
- 2008 Star Screen Award for Best Comedian - Irrfan Khan
- 2008 Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award (Female)Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award (Female)The Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award is given as a part of the Stardust Awards, which are held annually to recognise upcoming talent in Bollywood....
- Kangana Ranaut