Netflix’s Lust Stories is back with a third chapter, promising another collection of intimate, provocative and emotionally layered stories about modern relationships. The anthology brings together four acclaimed filmmakers with distinctly different storytelling styles. Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj will each direct a standalone segment, continuing the anthology’s tradition of exploring desire, intimacy, infidelity and personal choices. The film features a diverse ensemble including Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Madan, Vijay Varma, Ali Fazal and newcomer Sana Thampi, among others.
Lust Stories 3 release date
Netflix is bringing back its popular anthology franchise with Lust Stories 3, which is set to premiere globally on September 18, 2026. The announcement was made on September 5, confirming that the third instalment will stream exclusively on Netflix.
Like its predecessors, the anthology will bring together four standalone stories, with each filmmaker offering a different perspective on desire, intimacy and the complexities of contemporary relationships. All four segments are expected to drop together, allowing viewers to experience the complete anthology in one go.
The third edition features a brand-new combination of filmmakers. Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj are directing the four segments. Their varied filmmaking sensibilities are expected to give the anthology four distinct tones and approaches.
The cast includes Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Madan, Sana Thampi, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Siddharth, Ali Fazal and Gurfateh Pirzada. Reportedly, Motwane’s segment features Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma, while Shakun Batra’s story pairs Ali Fazal with Radhika Madan. Kiran Rao’s segment reportedly stars Gurfateh Pirzada alongside newcomer Sana Thampi, while Aditi Rao Hydari leads Vishal Bhardwaj’s story.
What to expect from Lust Stories 3
Since its debut in 2018, has stood out for bringing conversations around desire, relationships, infidelity, agency and intimacy into the mainstream. The first anthology featured Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar, while the second instalment brought together Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Ravindernath Sharma.
With every edition introducing a fresh set of directors, performers and perspectives, reinvention has become one of the franchise’s defining strengths. Lust Stories 3 continues that tradition with four filmmakers known for their distinct cinematic voices, making the anthology particularly intriguing. The combination of experienced actors, newer talent and varied storytelling approaches is expected to result in four sharply contrasting takes on love, desire and human relationships.
While the makers have kept the individual plotlines under wraps, the cast and director lineup has already generated considerable curiosity. Netflix is yet to release the trailer, meaning viewers will have to wait until closer to the September 18 premiere for a glimpse into what each story has in store.