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Lust Stories 2 just released on Netflix as of June 29, 2023 and continued the saga of stories of women centered on lust; their desires, pleasures and fantasies. While the 2018 one focused on relationships, Part 2 took on more social messages as part of its narrative.
*Spoilers ahead*
The almost 30 minutes also have her reminiscing her time with her now, late husband, and having the granddaughter giggle and laugh and later even tell her that is quite embarrassing asking her granddaughter personal questions. To which the wise old woman responds “Embarrassing is better than depressing”.
She also reminds her children, well into their early 50s to also turn their attention to each other rather than ignoring each other’s needs as man and woman. While the first story seemed easy breezy compared to the others, it did bring forth the importance for women to discuss these with women in their own homes – that of female pleasure, physical intimacy, safety – all of which are still taboo topics in Indian households.
Later we see the house help’s living conditions in stark contrast to her employer’s, who has much physical space but no one to share it with while the former freely uses that in the day to enjoy intimacy with her husband. While one’s initial reaction is of the morally incorrect aspect of doing so at her employer’s house, the focal point shifts to the voyeuristic behavior demonstrated by Shome. To one’s amazement once the house help discovers the employer watching her and her husband, she is shocked and humiliated, however she too continues to let her watch without bringing it up.
The most powerful scene is the confrontation between the two women. Almost a month into this daily scenario when they both are in the know and the floodgates open, the scene is nothing short of a masterpiece of expressions. Highlighting the classism and societal hierarchy while displaying anger and disgust as masks to cover the sexual pleasure that both had been deriving all this while. The mirror through which they both watched each other is reflected back at them during this scene.
The rich may still lack while those considered poor may have in abundance. The ending of course is nothing short of brilliant.
The almost ending leaves you surprised as one revelation as to what happened between them 10 years ago and who was responsible was thought to be it however the final end made it an overkill. *pun intended*
Kajol plays the queen of a palace, one that has clearly seen better days (perhaps both the palace and her) with Kumud Mishra as the ‘king’ who treats women like objects for his sexual gratification, whether his wife whom he forces himself upon or the one who works for him.
Set against a Rajasthani backdrop, it depicts how men especially those in power or status treat women to fulfil their carnal needs. Kajol who was earlier in a brothel is now the queen and is hoping to escape her fate from her husband. The only way out she sees is her son going to England with hopes that she too can leave with him. A young girl who replaces the former helper is hired by Kajol and inevitably Mishra makes a move on her. It is thought that Kajol would perhaps be angered or dismayed upon this however we see the opposite through her non spoken expressions in the final minutes.
Sexual desire here is shown as the man’s depraved weakness and how it is used by Kajol as a weapon to free herself from her husband’s cruelty and viciousness. From highlighting the plight of sexual workers to the sexual violence endured by women the ending leaves one astounded.
While Lust Stories 2 started on a light note, it got heavier with each part – with some stories speaking volumes while not saying much and others seeming a tad off in parts. But it does what it was meant to do – highlight sexual desire and thoughts from a women’s perspective. Something we need more of – more talk and not necessarily less action!
Soul centric and free spirited all the while living life through travel and adrenaline junkie activities. Counselling Psychologist and Educator by vocation. And a life and laughter enthusiast by heart. Usually found daydreaming about her read more...
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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