The feeling of lust is not exclusive to men. Yet, women rarely express it. Most certainly, never like a group of male friends discussing their passionate stirrings or euphemistically speaking about their attraction and liking for someone. Women would probably giggle and mention the little crush they have on, let’s say, an acquaintance, teacher, colleague, celebrity or a sportsperson in very a casual manner. Most women are quite skilled at hiding their yearnings, suppressing or dismissing them altogether. After all, good girls can’t be lusty.
That’s why an omnibus of four short films told by as many prominent directors of Hindi cinema – Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar – which released on Netflix under the title of Lust Stories on June 15 is so refreshing. Woman characters and their desires are at the heart of each of these stories. Their desires are not always of the purely sexual kind. Instead, they are associated with the search for their identity, struggle to live life on their own terms and discovering life’s many pleasures. So finally, these Hindi filmmakers seem to be digging deeper into the subject that has, so far, remained under wraps, just like a woman’s body is draped in a dupatta, unless we are counting the popular movies of the yore in which it’s only a ‘vamp’ who was shown lusting after the ‘hero’. They were mostly condemned or suffered ignominy.
Lust Stories is an anthology film featuring four short films.
Kalindi (Radhika Apte) in Kashyap’s short is a professor in a long distance and open relationship. She is not able to handle her dalliances with as much ease as her husband can. Her experiments are ridden with guilt. Her contradictory behaviour hardly helps the matter, making her struggle to make sense of the complex matter of man-woman relationship.
After Kalindi’s questioning, when Akhtar introduces Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar), her silent acceptance of her social class and exploitation exposes the deep-rooted discriminatory attitude of the society. Interestingly, you see Sandhya, a domestic help, holding equal power as her employer when they are in bed. When he calls her “gandi saali”, she doesn’t hesitate to say “nanga saala”.
Banerjee’s story is more about a woman’s search for her space, maybe take a break from the roles of being a mother and wife that the society has assigned to her. Reena (Manisha Koirala) tries to reclaim her life, for a while, when she secretly spends some time with her husband’s best friend. While she seems to be prepared to face the consequences of it, it’s the men who have a problem accepting it.
Johar serves a delicious take on how Indian men remain oblivious to women’s desires. True to his style, his women strut around in dangerously low blouses while men appear bewildered. The guardians of society try to make the women fit into a box but no force of nature can be controlled.
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After a few misses, Netflix, known for its edgy content, scores by picking up these tales which document the set ways of society as well as the changing dynamics, that’s not confined to under the bedsheets. These are fun, poignant and introspective tales that attempt to unravel the mysteries of women’s heart.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
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Lust Stories review: Netflix’s four short films told directors Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar is so refreshing.
Lust Stories is an anthology film featuring four short films.
Lust Stories stars Radhika Apte, Kiara Advani, Bhumi Pednekar and Neha Dhupia.
