Director Anurag Basu’s latest ensemble drama, Metro… In Dino, is set to release in theatres across India today, July 4, 2025. Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, and Saswata Chatterjee, the film is already highly anticipated as its prequel Life In A Metro remains an iconic film even today.
Positioned as a spiritual follow-up to the 2007 critically acclaimed movie, the film releases amidst intense competition. The movie opens head-to-head with Jurassic World: Rebirth, while also contending with existing titles like F1, Sitaare Zameen Par, and Maa, all of which continue to draw significant footfall.
According to data from top exhibitors, Metro… In Dino has recorded approximately 18,500 advance ticket sales across leading multiplex chains such as PVRInox and Cinepolis for its opening day. While the numbers suggest a moderate start, industry experts view the figure as below expectations, considering the pedigree of the cast and the brand recall of the original film.
Trade sources say the opening day ticket sales should have been at least double the current tally for a film of this scale. A trade analyst explained, “It’s the sequel to a well-regarded title and carries a big ensemble. These numbers are modest, and they need walk-in audiences to pick up the slack.”
Financially, the film faces a tightrope. As per a Pinkvilla report, the film was originally greenlit with a Rs 65 crore budget, but extensive reshoots and delays inflated the total cost of production to Rs 85 crore, with an additional Rs 15 crore spent on promotions and advertising. This brings the total investment to approximately Rs 100 crore.
To recover the investment and avoid losses, the film is expected to collect at least Rs 75 crore in global box office revenue. So far, an estimated Rs 70 crore has been secured through non-theatrical avenues, including digital, satellite, and music rights. A Rs 75 crore worldwide gross would ensure a theatrical share of around Rs 30 crore, which is considered the breakeven benchmark.
Metro… In Dino also represents a crucial outing for Anurag Basu. Known for films like Barfi! and Life In A… Metro, Basu is recognised for ensemble-driven stories. His last major release was in 2020. The filmmaker’s credibility and directorial appeal remain strong in metros and among multiplex audiences, but Metro… In Dino will need sustained footfalls to demonstrate his continued theatrical viability.
As Metro… In Dino gears up for release, Basu has already moved on to his next venture, a musical tragedy starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela. Initially scheduled for Diwali 2025, the untitled project is reportedly facing scheduling adjustments, and an official announcement on its release timeline is awaited.