Cinema VinesVishal Bhardwaj has publicly declared that the 2018 anthology Lust Stories contains his finest directorial work, singling out Karan Johar’s segment, “Anuradha,” as the standout piece. In a recent interview with Screen, Bhardwaj was joined by fellow anthology directors Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, and Shakun Batra, and they discussed their favorite stories from the first two editions. While Batra and Bhardwaj praised Johar’s contribution, Rao and Motwane highlighted Konkona Sen Sharma’s “The Mirror” from Lust Stories 2 as their preferred entry.
In his remarks, Bhardwaj said, “Karan Johar made his career’s best film in Lust Stories. I really loved Kiara Advani’s performance. And Vicky (Kaushal) is so good! But directorially, it’s a very strong film.” He went on to describe the segment’s focus on a young woman named Megha, whose seemingly perfect marriage is shaken by her sexual dissatisfaction and the lack of open communication with her husband. The narrative follows Megha’s struggle to voice her desires, culminating in a striking scene where she uses a vibrator to reach orgasm while the title track of Johar’s 2001 family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham plays in the background, creating an unexpected contrast.
Johar’s story, titled “Anuradha,” stars Kiara Advani and Vicky Kaushal and delves into themes of female desire, sexual frustration, and the broader issues of intimacy within marriage. Bhardwaj praised both actors, noting Advani’s compelling portrayal and Kaushal’s strong performance, while emphasizing the segment’s directorial strength.
In contrast, Kiran Rao lauded Konkona Sen Sharma’s “The Mirror,” calling it beautifully executed and “funny and uncomfortable.” Rao highlighted how the film weaved class dynamics into its exploration of lust, describing it as “so complex for a short film, and so touching.” Vikramaditya Motwane echoed this sentiment, calling the piece phenomenal and asserting that it raised the bar for the anthology.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Lust Stories 3 will bring together four new stories centered on love, relationships, and desire. The anthology will feature actors such as Radhika Apte, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Madan, Sana Thampi, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Siddharth, Ali Fazal, and Gurfateh Pirzada. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Shakun Batra, Kiran Rao, and Vishal Bhardwaj, the new installment promises to continue the series’ tradition of probing the complexities of human connection.
