Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Lust Stories 3, bringing together Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Madan, Vijay Varma and other prominent actors for a new collection of stories about love, attraction and complicated relationships.

The third instalment of the anthology franchise will premiere on Netflix on September 18, 2026. The film features four separate stories directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj.

Four Directors, Four Different Relationships

Unlike a conventional feature built around one storyline, Lust Stories 3 uses four independent narratives to examine different sides of intimacy and human connection.

The trailer moves between relationships marked by attraction, marriage troubles, awkward conversations, emotional uncertainty and desires that are difficult to express. Netflix describes the four stories as distinct worlds connected by themes of love, desire, vulnerability and complicated choices.

The combination of filmmakers also gives the anthology a varied storytelling approach. Motwane, Rao, Batra and Bhardwaj each bring their own tone and perspective to the four segments.

Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth Feature Prominently

Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth are among the actors who draw attention in the trailer, with their characters appearing to navigate their own complicated understanding of relationships.

Aditi is also seen in a sequence involving a discussion about how desire and attraction can be interpreted differently depending on circumstances. The moment hints that the anthology will not rely only on romance but will also examine how people understand and communicate their desires.

Radhika Apte and Konkona Sen Sharma also feature prominently, while Radhika Madan and Ali Fazal appear to be part of a storyline involving a troubled marriage.

Romance, Humour and Emotional Conflict

The trailer balances its more intimate themes with humour and everyday situations.

One sequence involving Konkona Sen Sharma and Radhika Apte turns a discussion about romance into a playful exchange, while other portions suggest emotional tension between couples trying to understand what they actually want from their relationships.

The overall tone appears deliberately varied, moving between comedy, discomfort, attraction and emotional conflict rather than presenting desire through a single lens.

Ensemble Cast Adds to the Anthology

The film features an ensemble cast including Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Madan, Sana Thampi, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Siddharth, Ali Fazal and Gurfateh Pirzada.

With four different stories and a large cast, the anthology is positioned as a collection of character-driven narratives rather than one continuous relationship drama.

The filmmakers have also indicated that the new instalment explores themes including vulnerability, agency, compromise and the things people struggle to say openly.

When and Where to Watch Lust Stories 3

Lust Stories 3 will begin streaming on Netflix on September 18, 2026. It follows the first Lust Stories, released in 2018, and Lust Stories 2, which arrived on Netflix in 2023.

The first two films established the anthology's format of bringing together four filmmakers to tell independent stories around intimacy and relationships. The third chapter continues that structure while introducing a new combination of directors and actors.

With its trailer now out, Lust Stories 3 is set to return to the franchise's familiar territory of love, desire and relationships—but with four filmmakers offering distinctly different perspectives.

Aditya Dhar's ambitious film "Dhurandhar" has landed in hot water following its Netflix release, with viewers expressing fury over significant cuts, muted dialogues, and what many are calling unnecessary censorship. The same movie that received standing ovations during its theatrical run has now become the center of a heated debate about creative freedom on OTT platforms.

The Missing Minutes Mystery

The controversy erupted when eagle-eyed viewers noticed substantial differences between the theatrical and Netflix versions. The original theatrical cut ran for 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 1 second. However, the Netflix version clocks in at just 3 hours and 25 minutes—nearly 9 minutes shorter.

This discrepancy has left audiences questioning what happened to the missing footage and why an adult-rated film on an OTT platform requires such extensive censorship.

A Timeline of Cuts

Understanding the Dhurandhar Netflix controversy requires examining the film's editing history:

Pre-January 1st: The complete theatrical version ran for 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 1 second

Post-January 1st: Following objections from the Baloch community, certain words and dialogues were muted, reducing runtime to 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 56 seconds

Netflix Release: Further cuts brought the runtime down to 3 hours and 25 minutes

Even viewers who watched the edited theatrical version post-January 1st are finding additional cuts on Netflix, raising serious questions about platform censorship policies.

The Censorship Double Standard

The most significant viewer complaint centers on muted dialogues and removed profanity. Despite carrying an A certificate—indicating adult-only content—the Netflix version has undergone heavy censorship.

One glaring example involves Sanjay Dutt's dialogue containing the word "Baloch," which has been completely muted in the streaming version. This creates awkward pauses and disrupts the film's natural flow, pulling viewers out of the narrative.

Social media has erupted with comparisons to other films. "If movies like 'Kabir Singh' and 'Animal' can stream uncut on OTT platforms, why is 'Dhurandhar' being treated differently?" asked one frustrated viewer on Twitter.

Technical Quality Concerns

Beyond censorship issues, viewers have raised concerns about the technical quality of the Netflix release:

Color Grading: The vibrant colors that enhanced the theatrical experience appear noticeably duller on Netflix

Sound Quality: Multiple users report that audio quality seems compressed compared to theater sound systems

Playback Speed: Some viewers feel the film plays slightly faster on Netflix, possibly due to frame rate differences (24fps theatrical vs. 25fps streaming)

The quality degradation is particularly noticeable for subscribers on HD plans, with only 4K plan users reporting satisfactory visual quality.

Why This Matters Now

The Dhurandhar Netflix controversy highlights a growing concern about OTT censorship in India. As streaming platforms become the primary mode of content consumption, questions about creative freedom and censorship standards have taken center stage.

Industry observers note that this incident could set a concerning precedent. If filmmakers cannot present their complete vision even on adult-rated OTT platforms, where can artistic expression find its full form?

The Audience Backlash

Viewers who paid premium ticket prices for the theatrical experience feel particularly cheated. Many had hoped that the OTT release would offer the uncut version they couldn't access in theaters after January 1st. Instead, they received an even more heavily censored product.

"What's the point of going to theaters and buying tickets if OTT platforms are also going to show censored versions?" wrote one angry viewer, capturing the sentiment of thousands.

What Happens Next?

Neither Aditya Dhar nor Netflix has officially commented on the controversy. The silence from both parties has only fueled speculation and frustration among the film's fanbase.

The Dhurandhar Netflix controversy raises fundamental questions about content delivery, censorship standards, and viewer expectations in India's rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape. As audiences become more discerning and vocal, platforms and filmmakers may need to reconsider their approach to content presentation.

For now, fans of "Dhurandhar" are left wondering if they'll ever see the complete, unfiltered version of the film as Aditya Dhar originally intended.