'Lust Stories 3' is the latest entry in the popular anthology film franchise. The short film segments have been directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleLust Stories 3 returns to Netflix with four fresh stories about desire, intimacy, and emotional honesty. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj, the anthology keeps its focus on the female gaze and the complicated space between love and lust.
With strong performances from Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Apte, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth, the film blends humour, heartbreak and quiet rebellion while exploring what women truly want in modern relationships today.
Vikramaditya Motwane opens Lust Stories 3 with a playful yet sharp look at marriages that have lost excitement. The story follows two friends who have spent years managing homes, children, and work while their own desires have been pushed aside.
Konkona Sen Sharma brings quiet strength to her part, and Radhika Apte adds humour and honesty. Their friendship feels real and lived-in, which makes their unusual decision feel less shocking and more personal. They plan to swap partners for a weekend getaway, not out of spite, but out of a need to feel wanted again.
Vijay Varma and Abhishek Banerjee play the husbands who remain unaware of the plan at first. The writing treats the women with respect and keeps the focus firmly on their pleasure and agency. The score is lively and adds to the cheeky mood.
However, the final moments feel rushed, and the strong bond between the two women loses focus when the story tries to wrap up quickly. What starts as a bold comment on female solidarity ends on a rather safe note, though the performances keep it engaging throughout.
Kiran Rao takes the anthology to Mumbai and tells a story of survival and attraction. Gurfateh Pirzada plays 'Karan', a pizza delivery rider who also deals in drugs, and Sana Thampi plays 'Lisa', a nail artist who has come to the city with big dreams. Their meeting is instant and full of energy, and for a while the film makes you root for this young pair trying to find space in a crowded city.
Kiran shows the city well and captures the pressure of money and ambition. The idea that lust can act as a short escape from daily struggle is interesting. But the writing stays thin and relies on twists that arrive exactly when expected. The chemistry between the leads does not fully lift the material, and the segment ends up feeling like the least developed of the four. It has style and intent but lacks the emotional weight that the theme needs to leave a lasting mark.
Shakun Batra understands the noise that fills modern marriages, and his segment captures it with honesty. Ali Fazal plays 'Varun,' and Radhika Madan plays 'Sailee,' a couple who married quickly and now find themselves fighting about everything. The only time they stop arguing is when they are intimate.
Shakun shows how physical closeness becomes their only language when words fail. The scenes between them are shot with care, and you can feel why intimacy becomes their refuge. Their anger feels familiar, and many viewers may see parts of their own relationships in it.
Lust Stories 3 also touches on how families view marriage as a duty that must be carried on no matter what. A quiet sequence in an elevator captures their exhaustion better than any loud argument. The story knows that walking away is not easy, yet it stays close to the couple and lets their confusion feel real. Both actors are controlled and convincing and make the emotional shifts believable.
Vishal Bhardwaj closes the anthology with the most complete and charming story. Set in Hyderabad in the late 1980s, it follows 'Saira,' played by Aditi Rao Hydari, and 'Badru,' played by Siddharth. 'Saira' is an English teacher who loves reading Ismat Chughtai and Manto and also teaches literature to young students.
When she receives an erotic book, it opens up a new way for her to understand her own wants. She starts writing erotica herself, which brings both excitement and guilt in a society that rarely allows women to speak about pleasure.
Aditi Rao Hydari is luminous, playful, and funny in moments of panic, while Siddharth brings charm as a simple and caring husband who must learn to listen. Gajraj Rao adds warmth as a supportive father-in-law who believes a woman can study and build a life beyond motherhood.
Vishal makes desire look beautiful and poetic, using rich interiors and soft light to reflect 'Saira’s' inner awakening. The segment is humourous, tender, and respectful, and it argues that permission to want is itself a form of freedom.
Lust Stories 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
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