Lust Stories 2 : Movie Review

Lust Stories 2 is a 2023 Indian anthology film directed by R. Balki, Sujoy Ghosh, Amit Ravindernath Sharma, and Konkona Sen Sharma. It is a sequel to the 2018 anthology film Lust Stories. The film stars an ensemble cast of Kajol, Vijay Varma, Tamannaah Bhatia, Tilottama, Neena Gupta, Amruta Subhash, Angad Bedi and Mrunal Thakur.

The film is divided into four stories, each exploring a different aspect of human desire. The first story, “Made for Each Other”, directed by Balki, tells the tale of a young couple who decide to marry and also get their parents to meet and agree. The second story, “The Mirror”, directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, is a story about a working woman who inadvertently walks in on her maid having sex in her bedroom and the sequence of events that follow. The third story, “Sex with Ex”, directed by Sujoy Ghosh tells the story of a married man who serendipitously meets his ex when his car runs into a tree. The fourth story, “Tilchatta”, directed by Amit Sharma follows the tale of a lusty upper middle class man, his and his wife played by Kajol. His wife is an ertswhile prostitute whom he mistreats and abuses. He also makes several attemps to sexually violate the housemaids. Kajol makes a plan to send her son to England in order to give him a better future.

Lust Stories 2 is a mixed bag. Some of the stories are well-told and engaging, while others are more forgettable. The film’s strongest story is “The Mirror”, which is beautifully directed and acted. Tilottama Shome gives a standout performance as a sexually repressed working woman, and Amruta Subhash is equally impressive as her uninhibited maid.

Here is a more detailed review of each story:

• Made for Each Other: This story is a bit of a mess. The characters are underdeveloped, and the plot is predictable. The film’s attempts at humor fall flat, and the overall tone is off-putting.
• The Mirror: This story is the best one. The characters are relatable, the plot is fresh, and the film is intriguing.
• Sex with the Ex: This story gets more interesting with each passing minute, but it’s still not very good. The film’s attempts at suspense are only partially effective and the ending is unsatisfying.
• Tilchatta: This story was also fairly good and heartbreaking in the end. Kajol’s performance is impeccable and invokes the right amount of empathy for her character’s circumstances.
• Lust Stories 2 may not be as compelling as its prequel. The stories are uneven, and the film lacks the same spark and energy as its predecessor. However, there are a few bright spots, such as “The Mirror”, which is worth watching for Tilottama and Amruta Subhash’s impactful performance.