Exploring Love and Desire in Netflix's Lust Stories 3
Netflix's Lust Stories 3: A New Take on Relationships
The anthology film series Lust Stories returns with its third installment, Lust Stories 3, maintaining a balance between being work-appropriate and slightly daring.
Continuing the trend from its inception in 2018, the series retains a one-woman-to-three-men dynamic, with Bollywood filmmakers still dominating the narrative around sexual exploration.
In this edition, directors Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj delve into themes of love and desire. Motwane brings a comedic touch to a story by Avinash Sampath, focusing on two women in unfulfilling marriages who find inspiration in a K-drama about swinging.
Shonali (played by Konkona Sen Sharma) and Padma (Radhika Apte) plot to swap partners during a getaway, with Shonali pursuing Hemant (Vijay Varma) and Padma approaching Debu (Abhishek Banerjee).
This episode, filled with quirky humor and moments of desperation disguised as sexual escapades, showcases Radhika Apte's portrayal of Padma's feigned disgust and Konkona Sen Sharma's depiction of the erratic Shonali.
Kiran Rao's segment, based on a story she co-wrote with Tanaji Dasgupta, introduces Lisa (Sana Thampi), a nail salon worker, and Karan (Gurfateh Pirzada), a pizza delivery guy. Their chemistry is palpable, but the narrative's twist is overly explicit, leaving little to the imagination.
Shakun Batra's contribution revolves around Varun (Ali Fazal) and Sailee (Radhikka Madan), a couple facing marital issues stemming from communication barriers that vanish when they stop talking altogether.
The film poses the question: “Is lust a remedy or a mere distraction?” This theme is explored through their interactions, which often resemble a literary narrative, culminating in a surprising performance by Ali Fazal.
Each story is marked by captions indicating the timeline, with the final and most impactful episode set in 1987 Hyderabad. Vishal Bhardwaj, alongside Utkarshini Vahishtha, crafts a narrative rich in Dakhani dialect and Urdu literature, focusing on college lecturer Saira (Aditi Rao Hydari) who yearns for her husband Badru's affection.
Inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto's provocative writing, Saira's longing leads her to pen a manuscript, which she later regrets. The film artfully intertwines themes of escapism through literature and the allure of romance novels.
Bhardwaj's direction enhances the film's aesthetic, creating a world reminiscent of a hidden novel, filled with tension over taboo thoughts and actions. Saurabh Goswami's vibrant visuals pay homage to classic films featuring Muslim narratives.
Aditi Rao Hydari shines as Saira, embodying a mix of vulnerability and determination, making her the standout performer in Lust Stories 3.
Also read:
‘Lust Stories’ review: Lots of talk and some show
‘Lust Stories 2’ review: More than erotica