Actress Sana Thampi has opened up about her Bollywood debut in the Netflix anthology 'Lust Stories 3', revealing that she had no idea during the audition process that she was being considered for a film directed by Kiran Rao — or that it was part of the celebrated franchise at all.

How Sana Thampi Landed the Role

Thampi recounted how she came on board the project with little initial context. 'Kiran is one of my favourite filmmakers, and we have seen the best come out of her. At the time of auditioning, I wasn't aware it was for her directorial or for Lust Stories 3. I was just told that it was for the role of a lead in a short film,' she said.

The process involved multiple rounds, including what she initially assumed was another audition. 'I did an audition where my third meeting was with Gurfateh Pirzada. I thought it was for an audition again, but it turned out to be a final step. It was the makers finalising both of us for the story after Netflix's approval,' she added.

Working with Kiran Rao: 'Fun and Stress-Free'

Thampi was effusive about the experience on set, crediting Rao's meticulous approach to filmmaking for making the process enjoyable. 'I love Kiran Rao's attention to detail, and we've already seen it in the projects she has done before. I am really glad to have worked with the entire team, they made it so incredibly fun, exciting and a stress-free experience for me,' she said.

This marks Thampi's first significant Bollywood project, and the combination of an acclaimed director and a high-profile platform makes the debut particularly notable.

Kiran Rao on the Story's Core Themes

Filmmaker Kiran Rao previously explained what drew her to contributing to the anthology. 'Desire makes us curious, and sometimes willing to take chances we normally wouldn't. I was interested in what happens when those choices begin to have unexpected consequences,' she said.

Rao also highlighted the creative latitude afforded by the format. 'The anthology format, and the creative freedom Netflix gave us, allowed me to play with intimacy and humour. I really enjoyed finding that balance, letting the characters follow their impulses, and take us to surprising territory. I hope it's a fun, unpredictable ride that keeps the audience on their toes,' she added.

The Full Anthology and Premiere Details

Lust Stories 3 brings together four filmmakers — Vishal Bhardwaj, Shakun Batra, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Kiran Rao — in a collection of stories exploring love, desire, and complicated relationships. The ensemble cast includes Radhika Apte, Radhika Madan, Siddharth, Ali Fazal, Vijay Varma, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Abhishek Banerjee, among others. The anthology premiered on Netflix on 18 September 2026.

With a fresh face headlining one of the franchise's most anticipated segments, all eyes are now on whether Lust Stories 3 can match the cultural impact of its predecessors.