Netflix’s Lust Stories 3 returns with four new stories exploring desire, intimacy, marriage and female sexuality. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj, the anthology features Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Gurfateh Pirzada, Ali Fazal, Radhikka Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth and others. The four stories are set in completely different worlds, but they share one common idea. Women are allowed to acknowledge what they want and confront what is missing from their relationships.
The Lust Stories franchise has always tried to look at intimacy from a different perspective. The third instalment continues that approach. There are stories about unhappy marriages, physical compatibility, loneliness, fantasy and self discovery. Some of these ideas are genuinely interesting. The problem is that the execution is not consistent enough. At nearly four hours across four segments, the anthology also tests your patience.
Lust Stories 3 Story
The first segment, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, follows two close friends and neighbours, Paddy and Shonali, played by Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma. Both women are unhappy with their respective sex lives. Their friendship gives them the confidence to discuss something most people would never openly talk about. They decide to swap partners for a weekend.
Vijay Varma and Abhishek Banerjee play their husbands, who are initially unaware of what the women have planned. What makes this story interesting is that the decision is not presented simply as an act of rebellion. It comes from two women who want to feel desired again. Their friendship remains the emotional centre of the story, although the conclusion feels rushed and considerably safer than the setup promises.
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Kiran Rao’s segment moves into a completely different world. Gurfateh Pirzada plays Karan, a pizza delivery boy, while Sana Thampi plays Lisa, a nail artist from Kerala who has moved to Mumbai to earn money and eventually start her own parlour. Things become complicated when Karan’s twin brother enters their lives.
There is a little crime mixed into this story, but its central idea is more personal. It looks at attraction, validation and the desire to feel wanted. The premise has potential, although the storytelling does not always explore it as deeply as it could.
Shakun Batra’s segment follows Varun and Sailee, played by Ali Fazal and Radhikka Madan. The couple has already filed for divorce and is going through the cooling off period. Ironically, their relationship becomes most comfortable when they are physically intimate.
Outside the bedroom, they struggle to communicate. Almost every conversation turns into an argument. But intimacy temporarily removes that wall between them. The story explores an uncomfortable question. Can two people be physically compatible while being completely incompatible emotionally? The answer here is complicated, and that is what makes this segment relatable in parts.
The final story comes from Vishal Bhardwaj and is set in Hyderabad in 1987. Aditi Rao Hydari plays Saira, a woman whose imagination and understanding of desire change after she encounters erotic literature. Siddharth plays her husband Badru, whose approach to intimacy is considerably different from hers.
Saira’s growing fascination with fantasy eventually pushes her towards writing. What starts as an exploration of her own desires gradually becomes a discovery of her creative voice. This segment connects sexuality with literature and self expression. It also benefits from its period setting, which makes Saira’s journey more unusual and entertaining.
Lust Stories 3 Movie Review
The biggest issue with Lust Stories 3 is that the four stories do not work equally well. The anthology has some clever ideas, but the execution varies significantly from one segment to another.
Vikramaditya Motwane’s opening story gets the anthology off to a reasonably entertaining start. Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma share an easy chemistry, and their friendship feels believable. The premise is unusual enough to hold your attention. The humour also works in several places, especially when the characters deal with the awkwardness of their decision.
However, the story ultimately plays things a little too safe. The setup creates expectations that the ending does not completely fulfil. The emotional bond between the two women is also not explored as deeply as it could have been.
Kiran Rao’s story has an interesting setup but feels less memorable. The relationship between Karan and Lisa has potential, particularly because both characters are dealing with their own ambitions and insecurities. However, the twin angle and crime elements make the segment feel slightly more complicated than necessary.
Shakun Batra’s segment is perhaps the most recognisable relationship drama of the four. The idea of a couple who can connect physically but cannot communicate emotionally is strong. Ali Fazal and Radhikka Madan make their arguments feel lived in. Their chemistry is convincing, and some of the quieter moments work better than the louder confrontations.
The problem is that the story keeps circling around the same emotional conflict. After a point, the repetition becomes noticeable.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s segment is easily the most distinctive. The 1980s setting gives it a different texture, while the connection between desire and literature adds another layer. The story has humour, eccentricity and warmth. More importantly, it feels like a complete story rather than simply an interesting premise stretched across its runtime.
The anthology also benefits from its dialogues. Sumukhi Suresh’s writing in the first segment adds plenty of humour, while the dialogues in Bhardwaj’s story suit its period setting and characters.
Music And Technical Aspects
Technically, the four directors maintain different visual identities, which helps distinguish the segments. The production design in the period story is particularly effective. The cinematography across the anthology is polished, while the editing could have been tighter in the latter two segments.
Music is not really a major highlight. The anthology relies more heavily on its background score and the mood created within individual stories. Nothing here leaves the kind of lasting musical impression that one might expect from a franchise built around such a strong thematic identity.
The bigger problem is the runtime. Lust Stories 3 has enough material for a shorter and sharper experience. Several scenes could have been trimmed without affecting the stories. The uneven pacing becomes more obvious as the anthology progresses.
Lust Stories 3 Performances
The performances are one of the more dependable aspects of the anthology. Radhika Apte is naturally entertaining in the first story. She brings humour and spontaneity to Paddy without making her feel like a caricature. Konkona Sen Sharma is excellent in contrast. Her quieter performance gives Shonali an emotional depth that prevents the character from becoming just another comedy vehicle. Their friendship is convincing because both actors keep it grounded.
Vijay Varma fits comfortably into the chaotic first segment. He understands the comic tone and gets several amusing moments. Abhishek Banerjee also adds to the awkwardness of the situation.
Gurfateh Pirzada handles the complicated emotional space of Karan reasonably well. Sana Thampi brings sincerity to Lisa and gives the character a sense of purpose beyond the central romantic equation.
Ali Fazal is convincing as Varun. He handles both the irritation and vulnerability of a man stuck between divorce and lingering attachment. Radhikka Madan matches him well as Sailee. Their chemistry is believable, particularly in the scenes where frustration and attraction exist simultaneously.
Aditi Rao Hydari is effortless as Saira. She brings innocence, curiosity and warmth to the character. But Siddharth is arguably the standout of the entire anthology. His performance as Badru has a playful quality that makes the fourth story considerably more enjoyable. He handles the tonal shifts beautifully and adds plenty of charm.
Final Verdict
Lust Stories 3 has the right ingredients. Four talented directors, a strong ensemble and stories that are willing to talk openly about female desire, intimacy and relationships. There are some genuinely engaging moments, particularly in the first and fourth segments.
But the anthology never reaches the impact of its potential. The stories are uneven, some emotional arcs feel underdeveloped and the long runtime makes the experience more tiring than it should be. Most importantly, it lacks the boldness and memorable spark that made the earlier instalments stand out.
The fourth story leaves the strongest impression, while the performances across the anthology remain consistently good. Unfortunately, that is not enough to make the entire experience satisfying.
Lust Stories 3 has something to say, but it takes too long to say it and does not always say it effectively. It is watchable in parts, but ultimately an underwhelming addition to the franchise.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
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