A quartette of top-notch directors from India entertain us with Lust Stories, four separate short films exploring  love, sex, desires and relationships in modern India. It’s interesting to note that filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Dibaker Banerjee, Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap agreed to participate in this anthology project but were surprised when all four of their films ended up with female lead characters. I’m very glad that happened.

Fortunately, four terrific actresses bring these diverse women to life on screen. Kudos to Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar, Manisha Koirala, and Vicky Kaushal!  It’s difficult to decide which one delivers the best performance because they are all quite believable as their characters try to deal with their yearnings and dreams in an ever-changing world. We may shake our heads at some of their actions, but we can’t help feeling compassion for them.   

Four women shine in four short flicks.

Each one reveals desires and picks.

Modern India is the WHERE --

relationships the WHAT to bare.

First, a teacher and student tale:

an older woman’s judgment fail.

Obsession holds her in its spell.

She doesn’t handle it too well.

Then a shy servant and her boss.

We shudder at how big her loss.

She works so hard and loves him so.

Will class win out? I think you know.

Next, a wife in a strange affair

with hubby’s best friend. Is that fair?

Keeping the peace might be the best.

She finds it hard to pass that test.

Finally, a young bride finds fun

when a vibrator starts to run.

Her husband can’t understand why!

He thinks he’s such a sexy guy.

These “Lust Stories” no problems solve.

Judgments from them do not evolve.

Acting and directing? First rate.

You might enjoy it with your mate.

(Released by Netflix. Not rated by MPAA but I would give it an “R” rating for mature themes and sexual situations.)

NOTE: Lust Stories is a sequel to the successful Bombay Talkies, an anthology movie released in 2013 and featuring short films from the same directors. Personally, I hope we get to see more anthology movies. For some of us, that’s the only way we can watch short films. I know there are so many splendid non-feature length movies that most of the public never gets to view. Netflix, are you listening?

For more  information about Lust Stories, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.