Anirudh Surya on Lust Stories 3, Motwane & Konkona

The actor, fresh from the series Kanneda, shares his two‑day Lonavala shoot, his admiration for veteran co‑stars and Motwane’s open‑ended climax.

Anirudh Surya, the newcomer who made a splash in the web‑series Kanneda, is now part of the third instalment of the Lust Stories anthology. The eight‑minute segment, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, was filmed over a two‑day stint at a resort in Lonavala and sees him sharing screen space with a line‑up that includes Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Radhika Apte and Abhishek Banerjee.

"I am still reeling from the experience. I have immense respect for the way he approaches his craft, especially his carefully attention to every little detail while never trying to control the outcome. He is a true collaborator in every sense. He gives you the freedom to bring your own interpretation to a scene, and in fact, encourages you to do so. That is something I really valued about working with him as a director," Surya told Bollywood Hungama, lauding Motwane’s hands‑off style.

The short schedule did not dampen the excitement. Surya says the Lonavala location offered a perfect backdrop for the intimate, mood‑driven story. He adds that the real thrill came from the company he kept on set. "I think they are all stalwarts. They are testament to the fact that acting isn't just talent, but a skill which needs to be honed. They are phenomenal actors," he said, referring to his fellow cast members.

For Surya, acting opposite Konkona Sen Sharma carried a nostalgic weight. He recalled spotting her in Page 3 during school days and being instantly drawn to the way she inhabited a role. "I remember watching Konkona in Page 3. I was much younger at the time, in school perhaps, and didn't really know what cinema was, though I was very drawn to her character. Later I realised I was drawn to what she brought to her characters, because whichever film I saw thereafter that she was a part of, I would find myself rooting for her," he explained.

A similar admiration sparked his first encounter with Radhika Apte. "I got a similar feeling with Radhika Apte when I saw Shor in the City, and that feeling stayed and grew with every film of hers that I saw," Surya said, noting how her performances have consistently resonated with him.

The climax of Motwane’s segment, intentionally ambiguous, has become a talking point among viewers. Surya describes the shoot as a spontaneous affair. "It was so much fun to shoot. We were simply asked to have fun with the scene, and I definitely did. I think that comes through on screen. The ending is intentionally left open to interpretation, and for me, it was really about vibing with Konkona, the lights, the music and the entire atmosphere. I think the scene has come together beautifully," he said.

Since the episode went live, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Surya says he’s been flooded with messages and calls from friends and strangers alike, many of them praising the climax. "The response has been great. The brand itself is very huge and a lot of people have watched it and continue to do so. I have been getting messages and calls from people I know who absolutely love the climax of Vikram sir's film. I have nothing but the utmost joy and gratitude that I could share myself with this project," he added.

The Lust Stories franchise continues to push boundaries on Indian OTT platforms, and Surya’s involvement could be a stepping stone to bigger roles. With the series slated for a wider release across streaming services next month, audiences will get another look at how a fresh face navigates a story steeped in desire, nuance and open‑ended storytelling.

What’s next?

Surya hints that the buzz around his segment might open doors to more collaborations with Motwane and perhaps a feature film debut. For now, fans will be replaying the Lonavala‑shot clip, dissecting the ending, and waiting for the next anthology drop.

Source: Bollywood Hungama