‘Lust Stories 3’ Review: Female Desire Has Many Faces, Explored
Netflix released 'Lust Stories 3' on September 18, the third part in its hit franchise. The short films are directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj, and star Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Gurfateh Pirzada, Sana Thampi, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth.
The first one shocked us, the second one less so, but the third one is a different game altogether. Netflix released Lust Stories 3 on September 18, 2026, the third anthology part in its hit franchise. As the name suggests, it is about lust and s*x, but following the familiar Indian norm of intimacy with known or preferred partners rather than one-night stands with complete strangers, except in the husband-swapping scheme of things. Tamannaah Bhatia's Kissing and Sex Scenes With Vijay Varma From Lust Stories 2 Go Viral! Fans React to Hot Chemistry.
Comprising four short films, Lust Stories 3 stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Gurfateh Pirzada, Sana Thampi, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth. Acclaimed directors helm the four films – Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj.
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Female Desire
In keeping with the first two of the franchise, Lust Stories 3 deals unabashedly with female desire. With Lust Stories and Lust Stories 2, and films like Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare (2019), audiences are ready for more such content. Four different stories, four romances in different worlds, presented by four talented filmmakers. ‘Lust Stories 3’ Trailer: Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vijay Varma Lead Netflix Anthology.
Vikramaditya Motwane
Vikramaditya Motwane’s signature is there in the unconventional story he tells, which may be uncomfortable for some to watch. Radhika Apte, Konkona Sensharma, Vijay Varma and Abhishek Sharma star in a never-before shown husband-swapping plot, with a fixation for South Korean content thrown in to show the unusual inspiration.
Kiran Rao
After Laapataa Ladies, Kiran Rao helms a story about desire between the lead cast of Gurfateh Pirzada and Sana Thampi, with drugs, money, twists and turns to keep you hooked.
Shakun Batra
Shakun Batra’s short film in Lust Stories 3 is about a married couple, played by Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan, having the same issues as other urban couples – desire, family and own expectations, bottled-upemotions, conventions in love, and so on.
Vishal Bhardwaj
The revered Bollywood director Vishal Bhardwaj has the real-life married couple of Aditi Rao Hydari and Sidharth in his short. Also starring Gajraj Rao, the story is based in the late 1980s and tackles the subject of sex education. The film’s rhythm and quirkiness definitely will be enjoyed by Bhardwaj’s fans.
Verdict
Moving away from the teenage romances, high-school dramas, romcoms or violent series, go in for some content made for adult issues in Lust Stories 3. Intimacy in relationships is different for each couple, and this franchise continues explore stories that can resonate with more people. It may just have had a mainstream queer love story as well. Guess that’s for the next time. For now, Lust Stories 3 can be a good binge-watch this weekend.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
