Lust Stories 3 takes the anthology format in a distinctly different direction, bringing together filmmakers Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj to explore desire, intimacy, relationships and emotional conflict from four different perspectives. The film began streaming on Netflix on September 18, 2026.
Rather than presenting lust in one particular style, the anthology moves between relationship drama, humour, emotional tension and poetic storytelling. The result is an uneven but varied collection in which each filmmaker leaves a clear personal imprint.
Four Directors, Four Different Worlds
Vikramaditya Motwane’s segment features Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma and Abhishek Banerjee and explores intimacy and dissatisfaction within relationships. The performances, particularly from Apte and Konkona, bring emotional weight to a story that deals with the complexities of long-term relationships.
Kiran Rao takes the anthology into lighter territory. Her chapter, featuring Gurfateh Pirzada and Sana Thampi, mixes relationships with humour, unexpected turns and elements involving money and drugs. It provides a more playful change of pace from the heavier stories around it.
Shakun Batra’s segment, starring Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan, focuses more intensely on the frustrations and emotional complications within a relationship. Their performances capture attraction, irritation and the difficulty of communicating with someone who knows you intimately.
The final chapter comes from Vishal Bhardwaj, with Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth. Set against a distinctive Hyderabad backdrop, the segment takes a more poetic and atmospheric approach to desire. Bhardwaj has also described the story’s perspective as allowing Siddharth’s character to be viewed through Aditi Rao Hydari’s character, creating an interesting reversal of the usual gaze.
Performances Keep the Anthology Together
The cast is one of the film’s strongest assets. Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma bring depth to the opening story, while Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth add humour and chemistry to Bhardwaj’s more atmospheric chapter. Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan also effectively convey the frustration and emotional messiness of a troubled relationship.
An Uneven but Varied Watch
The major criticism across reviews is that the four stories do not work with equal effectiveness. Some critics have praised the anthology’s variety and willingness to approach desire through loneliness, curiosity and emotional need, while others have found the writing and pacing inconsistent.
The difference in critical response is reflected in the ratings: Times of India and NDTV have given it 3/5, while India Forums and Moneycontrol have rated it 3.5/5.
Verdict
Lust Stories 3 does not attempt to make its four chapters feel identical. Instead, it uses four filmmakers with contrasting styles to examine desire, intimacy and relationships from different angles. Some stories are more engaging than others, and the pacing occasionally slows down, but the performances and variety give the anthology enough personality to remain an interesting addition to the franchise.
Rating: 3.5/5
Lust Stories 3 is streaming on Netflix.
