Konkona Sen Sharma's Directorial Brilliance Shines in Lust Stories 2
In the much-anticipated sequel to the acclaimed anthology film ‘Lust Stories’ the follow-up instalment falls short, scoring a dismal one out of four. While director Konkona Sen Sharma delivers a well-crafted and thought-provoking segment, the remaining films by R. Balki, Sujoy Ghosh, and Amit Ravindernath Sharma lack the same impact and fail to showcase the brilliance of these talented directors.
Sharma's short film explores the familiar themes of class, space, and female desire, skilfully delving into the complexities of a 'Lust Story’. However, the other segments, helmed by notable male directors, disappointingly lack the sparkle and punch seen in their previous feature films. Balki's contribution, in particular, appears strangely coy, shying away from fully embracing the subject matter. The casting of Neena Gupta, a veteran at portraying taboo-breaking elderly characters, fails to surprise and invigorate the narrative as intended.
Sen Sharma's film sets the stage with an emblematic Mumbai image, juxtaposing clustered slums with towering high-rises. Through the intertwined lives of Isheeta, a rich but lonely designer, and her maid Seema, the director presents a messy and mysterious tale. Examining voyeurism from a female perspective is a rarity in Hindi cinema, and Sen Sharma's film succeeds in grounding the story, thanks to Tillotama Shome's captivating and unhurried performance.
Sujoy Ghosh's segment, following his recent success with ‘Dahaad’, starts off promisingly with Vijay Varma driving down an empty road. However, the narrative takes an unexpected turn, deviating from the filmmaker's strengths, and resembling a rudimentary thriller that would be better suited for a different Netflix franchise. Despite the alleged off-screen chemistry between Tamannaah Bhatia and Varma, the segment fails to leave a lasting impression.
Amit Sharma's film, which concludes the anthology, abandons the comedic tone of his previous hit ‘Badhaai Ho’ for a dark fairy tale setup. Set in a serene temple town in central India, the story revolves around Chanda played by Kajol, living a suffocating life under an abusive and caste-obsessed husband. While Kajol's performance is commendable, the film fails to add up logically or emotionally, leaving the audience unsatisfied with its conclusion.
Anthology films have their place in a vibrant film culture like ours, but the sequel to ‘Lust Stories’ fails to meet the high expectations set by its predecessor. With only Konkona Sen Sharma's segment standing out as a worthy watch, the rest of the films in the anthology are nothing more than lost stories. It is our hope that producer Ashi Dua either explores new and unexpected avenues or paces the production of anthologies to maintain their novelty and quality.
‘Lust Stories 2’ lacks the cohesion and brilliance of its predecessor, leaving viewers craving more substance and impact from its segments.
