After a brief brush with the guitar in 3 Idiots, actor Ali Fazal dives deep into musicianship for Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dinowhich is set to release on July 4. The actor is no stranger to transformation, and for the upcoming film, Fazal took things a step further, literally strumming his way into character.

Known for his versatility across genres and industries—from Bollywood’s Mirzapur to Hollywood in an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile—Fazal has consistently brought depth to his roles. His next outing, under the direction of Anurag Basu, sees him embody a musician not just on script, but in spirit.

Though fans may recall a fleeting moment of Fazal wielding a guitar in his big-screen debut 3 Idiotsthis time, the instrument isn’t a prop; it’s a character in itself.

“In 3 Idiotsit was more of a fun cameo,” Fazal recalls. “But Metro… In Dino demanded a different level of immersion. This character is a musician to the core. That meant I couldn’t just fake it—I had to feel it.”

To get there, Fazal spent over a month training intensively with a professional guitarist, his team shared. He wasn’t just memorising finger positions; he was understanding the emotional grammar of the instrument.

“There were chords I could play, chords I couldn’t. But when you’re in a Basu Da frame, you give it your everything. It’s not just about looking convincing—it’s about being honest. Your fingers hurt, but your heart learns,” he said, in a statement shared by his media team.

Ali’s commitment extended beyond technique. He worked on the subtle body language that comes with years of playing. “A musician’s relationship with his guitar is deeply personal. I had to learn to respect that.”

Set against a backdrop of human emotions and urban complexity, Metro… In Dino carries forward the thematic legacy of Basu’s Life in a… Metrothis time through a new lens.

“Music is a universal language,” the actor said. “And in a film like this, it becomes a thread that connects characters, emotions, and moments. I just wanted to do justice to that. I hope audiences can feel the effort.”