Review of Lust Stories 2: This anthology succeeds with four engrossing tales written by R Balki, Amit Sharma, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Sujoy Ghosh. Because they show many stories connected by a common theme without digressions, anthologies have always piqued my interest and held my attention more than long feature films. Five years have passed since four masterfully written tales were presented to Indian audiences in the shape of the Lust Stories anthology.
The four shorts combine to offer a heady brew of love, want, sex, shame, guilt, retribution, and betrayal in its second edition, which is currently streaming on Netflix. All of these themes are centred around the idea of passion. Like its predecessor, Lust Stories 2 predominantly tells female-centric stories that explore contemporary relationships through the prism of sexuality and physical wants. Four great directors, R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh, and Amit Sharma, are in charge of the anthology. Each of them offers a unique viewpoint on how a woman’s sexuality is typically seen in our culture and what needs to change.
Two families, played by Mrunal Thakur and Angad Bedi, attempt to arrange the marriage of their children in the opening film, directed by R Balki. Neena Gupta, who plays the family matriarch, asserts that “sexual compatibility” is crucial to determining whether a pair is fit for one another and whether their relationship will last. Balki expertly uses humour to lighten up this otherwise difficult and forbidden subject. The film delicately criticises those families who appear to be progressive and modern by letting their kids pick their partners but then behave awkwardly and silently when the subject of “sex” comes up.
Neena speaks with the utmost candour and directness, which, coming from a grandmotherly figure, adds a humorous touch. Even while there may be an underlying unease when she compares sexual climax to Mount Fuji’s eruption or shares intimate details of her bedroom life with her granddaughter, Neena plays the part with such ease and flare that it becomes sympathetic. Although Mrunal’s mannerisms and sentence delivery may be improved, the chemistry he shares with Neena is appealing. Additionally, it would have been advantageous for Angad to have had a few discussion scenes and greater screen time. Neena brings up the taboo subject in the funniest possible way, making the audience laugh.
Konkona’s short story departs from Balki’s familial structure and plunges into a more emotional and sinister story where women’s passions are kept secret and unacknowledged in public. It’s tough to choose between Tillotama Shome’s portrayal of a professional woman living alone and Amruta Subhash’s portrayal of her housekeeper because both give outstanding performances.
They give their characters an exquisite level of delicacy. Bhumi Pednekar portrayed a housekeeper in the first Lust Stories film who has a sexual relationship with the bachelor she works for. Amruta goes a step further, giving her character more depth and nuance. Even in the most difficult sequences, Tillotama shows confidence and gives a strong performance.
Konkona’s part, which deftly draws attention to the class gap and exemplifies how lust transcends caste, color, and gender, is my personal favorite in terms of story, narrative, script, and aesthetics. The director expertly uses the characters’ quiet to communicate with the audience and make a significant impact.
The viewer is left to infer and draw conclusions from much that is left unsaid, but Konkona leaves no space for uncertainty. Additionally, her ability to make her protagonists feel at ease in their own skin and portray them in such a way speaks volumes about how well-versed she is in the subject. Numerous ideas are sparked by a scene in which Amruta sleeps in their small home with her husband, children, and pets while grinning and thinking back on her day. The scene is expertly described and photographed. It’s a brave and daring endeavor to assist women in accepting their sexual impulses as truth and letting go of any feelings of shame. This concise message is effectively yet quietly conveyed.
Sujoy Ghosh’s section, maybe one of the most eagerly awaited shorts, falls short since it is the weakest of them all. The movie is not engaging or captivating, save from the hoopla around Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia’s kiss and chemistry. Given their reputation for excellent acting abilities and on-screen presence, it was surprising to see both performers give mediocre performances. Their words have no lasting effect, and neither do their characters.
The section had a promising beginning but loses its focus halfway through, eventually turning boring and uninteresting. I was drawn in by the segment’s set design because it had a very strange rural vibe. The houses, trees, and clouds seemed like they belonged in a children’s picture book. It wasn’t apparent if this was done on purpose to set a certain mood, but it was really distracting.
In terms of the plot’s progression, Ghosh made an effort to create drama and suspense. The main discovery, however, comes too late for the viewer to be truly engaged. In truth, the complicated plot may have been made simpler to more clearly express the book’s intended message. Only when they are together do Tamannaah and Vijay, who are shown as a couple having an adulterous affair, show signs of chemistry. The short would have benefited from a more thorough backstory and felt hurried throughout.
As they say, save the best for last, and I can’t say enough good things about Amit Sharma’s short film, which stars Kajol and Kumud Mishra and is just fantastic. The climax’s twist is masterfully planned and performed, despite the fact that the plot itself may not be that remarkable. Amit, who previously directed the sexual urges of old couples in the movie Badhaai Ho, takes on a more challenging and dramatic subject matter in Lust Stories 2.
The addition of a subplot involving sex workers gives this section complexity and lifts it above simple domestic violence. Although the plot may appear predictable at points, the filmmaker deserves praise for delaying the conclusion and creating a sense of suspense for it.
Although Kajol’s character appears placid in comparison to the protagonists of the previous three shorts, she has suffered the most, and even when she musters the confidence to make a bold move, fate does not favour her. She exudes perfection on television and says so much with so few words. Kumud Mishra, who plays the personification of ancient patriarchy, gives a fantastic performance that effectively engenders loathing for his character. Their scenes together convey uneasiness and powerlessness. This clip successfully accomplishes what it set out to do.
Lust Stories 2 is a compilation that provides a two-hour examination of women’s sexuality from their individual points of view. The anthology has its strong points and weak points, but the substance outweighs any dramatic or unnecessary features that can take away from the stories. For outstanding performances and a story that has to be told, see it on Netflix.
