Lust Stories 3 review: Netflix Telugu series falls flat

The latest Telugu anthology, released on 18 September, runs 165 minutes, features an ensemble cast and draws mixed reactions from critics and fans alike.

Netflix dropped the third instalment of its adult‑drama anthology Lust Stories on 18 September. The 165‑minute, four‑story collection arrives with a star‑studded Telugu cast but struggles to keep viewers hooked.

What the series tries to do

The show attempts to explore marital discontent, youthful rebellion and mid‑life crises across four parallel narratives. In the first tale, two married women, Shonali and Padma, conspire to swap husbands, hoping a change will revive their intimacy. The second thread follows a pizza delivery boy turned drug courier who falls for Lisa, a petty thief, only to discover his earnings vanish under mysterious circumstances. A third story pairs a newlywed couple, Varun and Shaili, who decide to file for divorce after five years of marriage, while a court grants them six months to sort out their differences. The final segment centres on a college lecturer, Saira, who pens a provocative thesis on sexuality while her marriage to Dr. Badru teeters on the brink.

Filmibeat noted that the four directors – Vikramaditya Motwani, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj – bring respectable pedigree, yet the screenplay and scene construction feel lackluster. The outlet described the first two episodes as marginally interesting, with the Kiran Rao segment offering a glimpse of promise. In contrast, the Vishal Bhardwaj story was called “boring” and failed to give actors Adeeti Rao Haideri and Siddharth enough material to shine. Filmibeat also pointed out that the performances of Radhaika Opte, Radhaika Madan, Ali Fazal and Gurfate Pirzada were the only redeeming factors, even if the scripts left them with limited scope.

The series rides on the popularity of the previous two seasons, which built a solid following on Netflix. However, the third season appears to have lost the spark that made its predecessors a binge‑worthy hit. While the anthology format allows for varied storytelling, the uneven quality across episodes makes the experience feel disjointed. Viewers who invested time in the earlier chapters may find the latest offering underwhelming, especially when compared to the tighter narratives of the first two seasons.

Audience reaction on social platforms mirrors the critical consensus. Some fans appreciate the bold attempt to discuss taboo topics in a regional language, but many echo Filmibeat’s sentiment that the content feels stretched thin. The series’ runtime, though generous, does not translate into compelling drama, leaving several plotlines unresolved or superficially explored.

The show’s future on the streaming platform remains uncertain. If Netflix hopes to retain its Telugu‑speaking audience, it may need to tighten its storytelling formula for the next instalment. For now, Lust Stories 3 is a reminder that star power alone cannot compensate for weak writing.

The series will stay on Netflix for the usual 30‑day window, giving curious viewers a chance to decide whether the anthology’s ambition outweighs its execution flaws.