Lust Stories 2 Movie Review: Tamannaah and Vijay starrer goes far beyond sex in a web of quirks, betrayals, fantasies

The sequel to the 2018 anthology film by the same name, Lust Stories 2 brings once again four different stories helmed by four eminent filmmakers. Each tale attempting to curate a unique take on women basking in their sexual fantasies and desires. But this time, the plot rather darkens as betrayal, schemings and some shocking twists and turns take the centre stage. 

The first film helmed by R Balki starring Neena Gupta, Mrunal Thakur and Angad Bedi in the lead roles revolve around a grandmother emphasising the importance of enjoying sex before marriage which tends to form the actual foundation of marital bliss as her granddaughter is all set to tie the knot. If there is one star of the show who keeps this one afloat, its hands down Neena Gupta. Her unabashed opinion on how couples should embrace intimacy in their lives is a delightful affair to witness. One of the highlights is her character talking about her own wild ride with her late husband in the days gone by. Apart from Gupta's endearing performance, the plotline however does not have anything astoundingly new to offer. But the beguiling execution makes this one a pleasing watch.

The second plot revolves around a modern day hustling woman who lives a life of singlehood essayed by Tilottama Shome. One day she comes home to find her housemaid (Amruta Shubhash) having sex with her husband on her own bedroom. Initially rather flabbergasted, she eventually makes her spying on her maid's sexual activities a habit. While Tilottama's character finds this a medium to fulfill her desires, Amruta's character suddenly finds herself in a liberating position despite knowing that her bedroom shennanigans is not a secret anymore. This Konkona Sen Sharma director is a coming of age quirky tale two women owning to their desires, vulnerabilities and fantasies. It also mirrors a brutally honest take on the difference between the social strata wherein the labour section of the society is highly taken for granted or underestimated. Coupled with Konkona's brilliant direction, its Tilottama and Amruta's powerful performance which steals the cake. 

Cut to the trippiest story of Lust Stories 2, the Sujoy Ghosh directorial starring Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film opens to Vijay's character driving away near a quaint and mystical village with the song 'Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye' playing in the background. After his car breaks down, he attempts find help in the village and bumps into a mysterious woman (Tamannaah Bhatia) who to his surprise turns out to be his long lost wife. While they have a passionate reunion, the duo try to unravel the circumstances under which they were separated. The plot soon thickens in a deep web of beyrayals, greed and lies which is a typical stellar serve by Sujoy Ghosh. However, while this one serves that quirk, peculiarity and intrigue, the story becomes predictable towards the end. However the camaraderie between the now-real life couple Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma is delightful to behold. 

Here we come to the concluding story and unabashedly my favourite one, starring Kajol, Kumud Mishra and Anushka Kaushik which has been directed by Amit Sharma. The plot revolves around a former prostitute (Kajol) who is now a wife of a ruthless and perverted ruler (Kumud Mishra) of a ruining estate. His wife is tormented of him as he imposes marital rape on her, hinders their son's wish to travel abroad for studies and exploites all their young female housemaids sexually. However, things take a turn when a new young and beautiful maid (Anushka Kaushik) comes to work in the palace. We are soon embroiled in a web of scheming, lust, greed, sacrifice and torture until a shocking turn of event comes as a rude shock. 

Director Amit Sharma masterfully sends a chill down your spine with the plot blended with intrigue and a gloomy set of events. The writing lets us feel emphathy for some characters while pure hatred for another. While Kajol delivers an intense act as the protagonist, Kumud Mishra successfully makes us detest him as the main antagonist. This one truly redefines the word riveting in all true sense. At the end, Lust Stories 2 stays true to its word and delivers four engrossing stories which will certainly not disappoint.