'Lust Stories 3' is scheduled to be released on Netflix on September 18, 2026. Notably, the movie features ten popular faces in the lead roles.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleNetflix's International Emmy-nominated anthology returns with Lust Stories 3, premiering September 18, 2026. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj, the film presents four distinct stories exploring modern love, desire, and intimacy with an ensemble cast led by Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Siddharth, and more.
While the release date approaches, there is also curiosity among people to know how much each of the cast members received for their appearances in the film.
No official word on money has come from Netflix or the two studios backing Lust Stories 3, RSVP Movies and Flying Unicorn Entertainment. But if anyone looks at how such anthology films are usually compensated, the pay is expected to be different from a regular full-length film.
Industry buzz suggests Radhika Apte leads the pack with an estimated Rs. 1.5 to 2 crore, with Konkona Sen Sharma not far behind at about Rs. 1.2 to 1.8 crore. Aditi Rao Hydari and Ali Fazal are both heard to be around the Rs. 1 crore mark, give or take.
Vijay Varma has been paid between Rs. 70 lakh and 1 crore, followed by Siddharth in the Rs. 60 to 90 lakh zone, while Radhika Madan and Abhishek Banerjee are said to be around Rs. 50 to 80 lakh and Rs. 40 to 60 lakh respectively. For Gurfateh Pirzada, the estimate is Rs. 30 to 50 lakh, and for debutant Sana Thampi it's closer to Rs. 20 to 35 lakh.
Again, none of these numbers are confirmed, and they are just market estimates based on previous anthology deals where actors work for only 10-12 days instead of a full film schedule. As for the overall cost of Lust Stories 3, Netflix hasn't put out any official figure either.
The word in trade circles is that all four shorts together might have been wrapped up within Rs. 25 to 35 crore. That lower figure is possible only because of how anthologies are built. Four compact shorts are filmed instead of a long feature movie, each with its own limited set-up, shorter calendar, and smaller team, but using the same post-production chain.
With Motwane, Kiran Rao, Batra, and Bhardwaj handling one story each, the entire project functions like four separate small films packaged together. That division keeps expenses in check and makes it easier for streaming platforms to pull in big names without spending like a big theatrical feature.
Lust Stories started in 2018 as an experiment that actually worked. The first edition with Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap gave the anthology format credibility on streaming, and the 2023 follow-up proved that audiences were still invested in short, bold takes on intimacy.
Lust Stories 3 carries that legacy forward but changes the lens. This time, the four directors are Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj, and that shift in voices matters. Where the earlier films often looked at lust from an urban, often female-pleasure perspective, this chapter is said to be more layered and uncomfortable.
The third chapter brings together 10 confirmed faces across its four stories. Leading the ensemble is Radhika Apte, who returns to the franchise after the first edition, known for her fearless choices in intimacy-driven roles. With her is Konkona Sen Sharma, one of the most nuanced actors of her generation, and Vijay Varma, who has become Netflix's go-to for layered, grey characters.
Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan pair up for Shakun Batra's segment, which is an interesting mix of Ali's seasoned, international exposure and Radhika's raw, millennial energy. Real-life couple Siddharth and Aditi Rao Hydari feature together in Vishal Bhardwaj's story, which is already generating buzz because of their off-screen chemistry.
The supporting leads add fresh energy. This includes Abhishek Banerjee, the breakout performer from Stree and Paatal Lok; Gurfateh Pirzada from Guilty and Call Me Bae; and newcomer Sana Thampi, who is being introduced by Kiran Rao's segment in what is said to be a bold debut.
What are your thoughts about the reported salaries received by the cast members of Lust Stories 3? Let us know.
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