Lust Stories 2’s Konkona Sen Sharma: ‘We have a very narrow focus on what’s desirable’

Acclaimed actress-filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma’s gripping short story, The Mirror - starring Tillotama Shome and Amruta Subhash - in Netflix’s much talked-talked anthology film Lust Stories 2, is being widely appreciated. While speaking during an interview recently, Konkona opened up about how she struggled in the initial days of her acting career to look a certain way and ‘to fit in’.

Also read: Lust Stories 2: One Terrific Short In A Sea Of Mediocrity

In Lust Stories 2, The Mirror comprises a segment that explores female gaze and voyeurism. Sharing her thoughts on the existing stereotypes around women and their need for sexual and romantic pleasure, Konkona told Film Companion, “Very often, the bodies that are allowed to feel the sexual/romantic pleasure are very limited because usually they have to be thin, fair, rich and young - that was the fourth factor. So, usually only those kinds of bodies are allowed to desire and also there have been certain limitations in terms of how people from different economic backgrounds are portrayed.”

Adding to that, the actress-director said, “I’ve been acting for 20 years and I’ve struggled in the early part of my career to look a certain way or to fit in. It’s great in a way because it has helped me not seek external validation. I feel we have a very narrow focus on what’s desirable and it’s nice to be able to talk about this.”

The second instalment of Lust Stories also features shorts directed by R Balki, Amit Ravindernath Sharma and Sujoy Ghosh. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Kumud Mishra, Angad Bedi and Neena Gupta, among others. The other three titles in the anthology film are Made for Each Other, Sex with the Ex and Tilchatta.

Also read: Lust Stories 2 review: The best climax is two out of four in this Netflix anthology