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By: Tanya Mahendru
Lust Stories 2 is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language anthology film directed by R. Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, Amit Ravindernath Sharma and Sujoy Ghosh. It features four different stories casting Mrunal Thakur, Kumud Mishra, Amruta Subhash, Angad Bedi, Neena Gupta, Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Tillotama Shome, Vijay Varma, and others.
like its predecessor, it explores themes of intimacy, desire, sexuality, violence, love, relationships, and marriage- to name a few.
MADE FOR EACH OTHER
The story revolves around Veda and Arjun, starring Mrunal Thakur and Angad Bedi, respectively. But the show stealer is Veda’s grandmother featuring Neena Gupta as Kamli Kaushal in the movie. She insists on the importance of physical intimacy in a relationship. Her inquiry from the couple about sex leaves the couple embarrassed while making the elders shocked. She features a woman with a progressive mindset who can easily discuss such a sensitive subject with her grandchildren.
THE MIRROR
The second movie by Konkana Sen with Tillotama Shome and Amruta Subhash revolves around subjects like voyeurism and exhibitionism appears more unconventional for Indian society. The thought-provoking story leaves the reader at a standstill between the domain of pleasure on the one hand and ethics on the other.
SEX WITH THE EX
This story starring Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma, is filled with suspense and thrill. Though most of the viewers could not understand the storyline and make out who was dead or alive in the movie- yet on a positive note, the film. The story is about a successful CEO who meets with an accident while talking to his girlfriend and happens to come across her ex-wife. They have a conversation with each other about their lives and how they got separated and its aftermath, but Vijay seeing his dead body and Shanti’s eerie statement, in the end, leaves the viewers puzzled.
TILCHATTA
The fourth story, directed by Amit Sharma, starring Kajol and Kumud Mishra, has a good twist at the end that shocks the audience. With a captivating plot and commendable acting by the artists
The story revolves around revenge and vengeance. It brings to light how some men see women as objects to derive personal pleasure.
Overall, Lust Stories 2 focuses on several aspects- from the portrayal of women characters, gender dynamics, social taboos, and so on. Some female characters are displayed as independent individuals with desires, aspirations. The traditional notion of sexuality is challenged by the film and breaks away from the conventional expectations of society from men and women. Women are portrayed as active participants in their own stories.
The Silent Sexism Project 