3.5/5
Some say lust is the most direct expression of love. It's love at its most unadulterated form, even when it's adultery. In today's age of Tinder, hookups are the preferred way for consenting adults to satisfy their sexual urges. We all crave for no-strings-attached relationships but do such a thing exists actually? That's the question posed by the Anurag Kashyap directed story. Radhika Apte plays a professor whose hugely mature husband (he's supposed to be abroad somewhere) encourages her to explore polyandry. She seduces one of her students, Sairat fame Akash Thosar and while the sex has been good, she turns into a clingy girlfriend overtime, despite warning him not to get involved with her emotionally. Radhika Apte is wonderful as usual, going from mildly jealous to borderline stalker overtime, giving us the whole psycho girlfriend treatment.While Anurag's treatment is kind of OTT, Zoya Akhtar’s story, which follows next, is a study in understatement. It starts off with the raunchiest scene of the film, with Neil Bhoopalam and Bhumi Pednekar shown doing it with abandon. Bhumi plays a bai working in his bachelor pad. Beyond sex, they have nothing in common. He's soon to be married and her heart takes a nosedive when the girl he's to be betrothed to comes along with her parents to finalise things. Bhumi doesn't speak much but her eyes express all she's feeling. It's a sublime performance alright.
Dibakar’s story follows next and it's all about adultery and friendship. Manisha Koirala is married to Sanjay Kapoor but their marriage is going nowhere. She's into an adulterous relationship with his best friend, heart surgeon Jaideep Ahlawat. He kind of completes her both physically and emotionally. A drunk phone call from the husband compels them to call him at their love nest and what follows is a mature handling of a delicate situation by three adults without indulging in any sort of melodrama. Manisha is excellent throughout and comes across as a real woman wanting a meaningful, fulfilling relationship. Jaideep is equally good as a man torn between two people he cares most about and Sanjay Kapoor is effective as the selfish husband.
The last story is helmed by Karan Johar. Kiara Advani and Vicky Kaushal star as a young couple while Neha Dhupia plays a rather lustful librarian. The film talks about how sexual satisfaction too is a right and women shouldn't be seen in a bad light if they demand it. It's the most light-hearted of all films, getting the full Karan Johar treatment but the questions it raises are no less pertinent. Good to see Vicky Kaushal playing against type, portraying a clueless husband. Kiara Advani goes all out in bold scenes while Neha comes across as a strong woman in sync with her sexuality.
The film premieres on Netflix on 15th but we would have liked a wide release for it as well. Is anybody listening...
Trailer : Lust Stories
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