Lust Stories 3 OTT Release Date: The much-awaited third instalment of Netflix’s International Emmy-nominated anthology is set to premiere on September 18. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj, the film brings four new stories exploring love, lust, relationships, desire and emotional complexities.
Netflix is bringing back one of its most talked-about anthology franchises with Lust Stories 3, and this time the lineup of filmmakers and actors is once again raising expectations.
The third instalment of the franchise is set to premiere on Netflix on September 18, 2026, bringing together four filmmakers — Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj — for four separate stories. The anthology continues the format established by its earlier editions, with each filmmaker offering a different perspective on intimacy, relationships and human connection.
The cast includes Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, Gurfateh Pirzada and Sana Thampi, among others.
Lust Stories 3 Release Date
Lust Stories 3 will premiere on Netflix on September 18, 2026.
The anthology will be available to stream on Netflix, with the platform describing it as four short films exploring sex, relationships, desire and love.
The latest edition marks an important milestone for Netflix India as Lust Stories becomes the platform’s first anthology franchise to reach a third season.
The first edition premiered in 2018 and featured stories directed by Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar. The second instalment arrived in 2023 with segments directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Ravindernath Sharma.
Lust Stories 3 Directors: Four Filmmakers, Four Different Stories
The biggest attraction of the new instalment is its director lineup.
Vikramaditya Motwane, known for films such as Lootera and Udaan, is returning to feature-length storytelling with one of the anthology’s four segments.
Kiran Rao, whose Laapataa Ladies received widespread acclaim, is also making her contribution to the anthology.
Shakun Batra, known for films including Kapoor & Sons and Gehraiyaan, is another filmmaker attached to the project.
Completing the quartet is Vishal Bhardwaj, one of Indian cinema’s most acclaimed filmmakers, known for films such as Haider, Maqbool and Omkara.
Netflix’s official description says the four filmmakers will explore lust, love, relationships and repressed desire through separate stories.
Lust Stories 3 Cast: Who Plays Whom?
The anthology features an impressive mix of established actors and newer faces.
According to reports, the four segments have the following prominent cast combinations:
- Vikramaditya Motwane’s segment: Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma and Abhishek Banerjee
- Shakun Batra’s segment: Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan
- Kiran Rao’s segment: Gurfateh Pirzada and newcomer Sana Thampi
- Vishal Bhardwaj’s segment: Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth
The complete cast listed by Netflix also includes these performers.
The combination has generated considerable curiosity because several actors are being paired in unexpected combinations, while the anthology format allows every story to have its own tone and emotional world.
What Is Lust Stories 3 About?
Unlike a conventional feature film, Lust Stories 3 does not follow one continuous storyline.
Instead, the anthology brings together four individual narratives. Each filmmaker explores relationships and intimacy from a different perspective, allowing the stories to examine subjects such as desire, vulnerability, emotional distance, power and the complexities of modern relationships.
Netflix describes the new edition as a collection of emotionally resonant short films exploring lust, love, relationships and repressed desire.
The makers have not revealed complete plot details for all four stories, keeping the individual narratives largely under wraps ahead of the premiere.
That secrecy could make the anthology particularly interesting for viewers who prefer discovering each story without knowing its major twists.
Lust Stories 3 And Its Bold Storytelling
The Lust Stories franchise has always attempted to look beyond conventional romantic narratives.
Rather than presenting relationships simply as love stories, the anthology uses intimacy and desire to explore larger emotional and social questions.
The latest instalment is expected to continue that approach while giving each filmmaker the freedom to develop a distinct cinematic language.
Netflix’s description specifically points towards themes of intimacy, longing, relationships and repressed desire, suggesting that the third edition will continue the franchise’s focus on complicated emotional spaces.
Radhikka Madan Wanted To Be Part Of Lust Stories 3
Radhikka Madan’s involvement also has an interesting story behind it.
The actress previously revealed that she was not initially offered a role in Lust Stories 3. After learning about the project, she reportedly pushed for an audition and eventually landed a role in Shakun Batra’s segment opposite Ali Fazal.
Her casting adds another interesting dimension to the anthology, particularly because Batra has previously explored complicated relationships in films such as Kapoor & Sons and Gehraiyaan.
Lust Stories 3 Writers
The anthology has been developed by a large writing team.
The reported writing credits include Kiran Rao, Tanaji Dasgupta, Avinash Sampath, Sumukhi Suresh, Shakun Batra, Sameeha Sabnis, Ashwathi Namboodiri, Nitesh Bhatia, Utkarshini Vashishtha and Vishal Bhardwaj.
Having different writers contribute to individual segments is expected to further differentiate the four stories in terms of tone, characters and narrative approach.
Who Is Producing Lust Stories 3?
Lust Stories 3 is being produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Ashi Dua under RSVP Movies and Flying Unicorn Entertainment.
The two production banners have also been associated with the previous instalment of the franchise.
Netflix continues to be the streaming partner for the anthology.
Lust Stories 3 Vs Lust Stories 1 And 2
The first Lust Stories arrived in 2018 and quickly became one of Netflix India’s most discussed anthology projects.
Its four segments were directed by Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar, featuring actors including Radhika Apte, Kiara Advani, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar and Manisha Koirala.
The second edition premiered in 2023 and featured stories directed by R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Ravindernath Sharma.
Now, the third edition brings together four completely different directorial voices — Motwane, Rao, Batra and Bhardwaj — giving the franchise another creative reset.
Why Lust Stories 3 Is Creating Buzz
There are several reasons why the third instalment is attracting attention.
First, the director lineup is unusually strong. Motwane, Rao, Batra and Bhardwaj have very different filmmaking styles, which could make the four segments dramatically different from one another.
Second, the cast features several actors known for their performances in unconventional and character-driven films.
And third, Lust Stories has already established itself as an anthology that is willing to explore subjects that mainstream relationship dramas often avoid.
The third instalment is therefore expected to continue the franchise’s tradition while bringing a new generation of characters and perspectives to the screen.
Lust Stories 3 OTT Release: When And Where To Watch?
Title: Lust Stories 3
Release Date: September 18, 2026
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Format: Anthology film
Genre: Romance, Drama
Stories: Four
Directors: Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj
Production: RSVP Movies and Flying Unicorn Entertainment
Netflix’s official listing confirms the anthology’s romance/drama positioning and its ensemble cast.
Lust Stories 3 Trailer: When Will It Release?
The makers have not yet disclosed the complete trailer rollout details in the information currently available.
Recent reports indicated that the trailer was expected around the first week of September, ahead of the September 18 premiere.
With the release date now approaching, more details about the four stories and their characters are expected to emerge soon.
Lust Stories 3: What To Expect
The third edition appears to be keeping the fundamental identity of the franchise intact while bringing together a fresh group of filmmakers.
Instead of one overarching narrative, audiences will get four separate stories, each examining relationships through its own lens.
With actors such as Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth involved, the anthology has a strong performance lineup to complement its ambitious creative team.
For fans of the franchise, the biggest question will be whether the third instalment can match the impact of the first two editions while offering something genuinely new.
With four directors, four stories and a September 18 Netflix premiere, Lust Stories 3 is certainly one of the more anticipated anthology releases of 2026.
FAQs
When will Lust Stories 3 release?
Lust Stories 3 will premiere on September 18, 2026.
Where can I watch Lust Stories 3?
Lust Stories 3 will stream on Netflix.
How many stories are there in Lust Stories 3?
The anthology consists of four separate stories, each directed by a different filmmaker.
Who are the directors of Lust Stories 3?
The four directors are Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj.
Who stars in Lust Stories 3?
The cast includes Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Ali Fazal, Radhika Madan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, Gurfateh Pirzada and Sana Thampi.
