If you are confused between Waiting Hai vs Lust Stories 3, this review will help you decide which OTT release is actually worth your weekend binge…
Friends, two web series have arrived on OTT this week, and their very names give you an idea of what they are all about. On one hand, there is Waiting Hai, which revolves around the Indian Railways’ ‘Tatkal’ ticket scam; Divyenndu plays a police officer, while Bhuvan Arora plays a hacker.
I found Bhuvan Arora quite interesting, and the story delves into how this entire ticketing racket actually operates.
On the other hand, there is Lust Stories 3. The title itself is enough to convey the premise: four directors, four distinct stories, and themes of love, relationships, intimacy, desire, and much more.
You will notice one thing common to both: while the concepts are interesting, they share a similar major flaw: the execution is inconsistent throughout.
Quick Verdict: What Should You Watch First?
| Feature | Waiting Hai | Lust Stories 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Crime Comedy/Drama | Netflix Anthology |
| Star Cast | Divyenndu, Bhuvan Arora, Kumud Mishra | Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth, Vijay Varma, Radhika Apte |
| Best For | Relatable Indian crime, Tatkal scam drama | Relationship dynamics, mature intimacy, emotional stories |
| Family Watch? | Yes (Mostly clean family drama & comedy) | (No Strictly 18+ Mature Themes) |
| Binge Verdict | One-Time Watch (Great concept) | One-Time Watch (Best for selective stories) |
Waiting Hai Review: Relatable Concept Let Down by Inconsistent Writing
The biggest plus point of Waiting Hai is its concept. What could be a greater Indian horror story than the struggle for a “Tatkal” train ticket?
You’ve been waiting since morning, determined to book ticket because you have to travel in two days.
You wait since morning, watching the clock tick down to 10:00 AM. Despite having a 200 Mbps internet connection, the tickets vanish in seconds. Moments later, a local agent calls and says, “Bro, pay up extra and get a confirmed seat.” The makers have taken this universal frustration and turned it into a crime drama.
The Good: Stellar Performances & Relatable Setup
Set in Patna, this story revolves around a Railway Police officer named Sugam Mishra, played by (Divyenndu), and a hacker named Afroz, portrayed by (Bhuvan Arora).
I really liked this setup because crime isn’t something distant; it is something we experience firsthand in our own surroundings.
That is precisely why the show feels relatable right from the start, especially if you travel by train frequently.
Speaking of Divyenndu, what I find most interesting about his role here is that he isn’t constantly trying to channel ‘Munna Bhaiya.’ Honestly, the moment I see Divyenndu, that old character usually pops into my mind automatically, especially since I watched “Mirzapur: The Movie” in theaters twice recently. But here, his character is completely different.
He is a newly minted railway police officer. His inexperience and somewhat childlike nature are clearly evident in the way he speaks. He is idealistic and trying to balance both his job and his personal life—after all, he is a newlywed, so there is the usual mother-in-law/daughter-in-law bickering going on in the background.
I really appreciate this vulnerability; watching him, I feel like, “Hey, that’s a bit like me, too.”
Bhuvan Arora has done a great job. His character doesn’t start as some grand mastermind; it begins with a small necessity and a romantic setback. The way technology is utilized is truly brilliant, and then the money starts rolling in.
The network keeps expanding, and gradually, the man himself becomes an integral part of the crime.
There is real substance to this transformation.
And Kumud Mishra is the kind of actor, bro; you just let him loose on screen, and he handles the rest himself. I feel like directors probably don’t have to put in much effort with him.
Audiences are also consistently praising the performances of Divyenndu, Bhuvan, and Kumud.
We notice this because, often with web series like this, there isn’t much chatter from the makers after the release, yet people keep talking about it.
The Bad: Inconsistent Screenplay & Tonal Shifts
The show had a great concept, but the screenplay didn’t quite match that level of sharpness.
You have all the elements: scams, railway police, hackers, agents, technology, and corruption. In short, there was no shortage of ingredients to craft a compelling thriller.
However, the show frequently veers off its main storyline.
At times, the comedy becomes excessive.
At other times, family drama takes over.
And then, the crime element suddenly resurfaces almost as if the show just remembered, “Oh shit, I’m a crime thriller.”
Did the creators have “Ghajini” for breakfast?
So the tonal shift naturally blends everywhere.
The tonal shift doesn’t blend naturally throughout, so it wouldn’t be wrong to say that while the show is entertaining, inconsistent writing and a fluctuating tone prevent it from becoming the gripping scam thriller it could have been.
The pacing isn’t tight everywhere, either.
At times, you feel that a particular point was conveyed to the audience a bit too quickly, while at other points, it seems the makers could have explored the material further—or perhaps wrapped it up. Nevertheless, I would still say that Waiting Hai is a film you simply cannot dismiss.
Because when the show focuses on the parallel journeys of Sugam or Afroz, then it becomes quite interesting. Becomes quite relatable.
A man wants to fight the system by staying inside the system.
The second one understands the weakness of the system and wants to take advantage of it.
And both are slowly coming in each other’s way. And this is its strongest dramatic element. But the problem is that the show does not consistently reach its best version.
Therefore, my verdict on Waiting Hai would be that its concept is very good. Performances are very good. And genuinely, there are a lot of engagement moments too. But because of the writing and pacing, the potential seems a bit incomplete. It would not be wrong to say this is definitely a one-time watch. And I feel that you should definitely give it a chance.
However, at certain points, you might feel the pace has slowed down a bit. But in the end, it pays off.
Lust Stories 3 Review: Less About Lust, More About Emotional Intimacy
With Lust Stories 3, the game is a bit different.
The challenge with Waiting Hai was sustaining a single story over seven episodes; here, the problem is the reverse.
There are four directors and four distinct stories: Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj, and each of them explores relationships, intimacy, and desire in their own unique way.
Honestly, I appreciated that Lust Stories 3 doesn’t rely on the novelty of simply talking about sex.
Instead, the focus here is more on:
- Why do people become intimate?
- What is breaking down in the relationship?
- What loneliness lies behind that desire?
- And how crucial is communication?
Look, once you finish Season 3, you’ll clearly notice that compared to Lust Stories 1 and 2, this one feels much more emotional and focused on relationships. And I can say that pretty confidently.
When it comes to performances, the show really shines. Konkona Sen Sharma and Radhika Apte have garnered a lot of appreciation.
Vijay Varma and Abhishek Banerjee also make a strong impact in their respective segments.
Then there is the segment featuring Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth; I’d say this is the one that will particularly resonate with many viewers.
It has chemistry, great performances, and a Hyderabadi flavor that people are really enjoying. The best part is that they are real-life partners, and that authenticity truly comes through on screen.
What I liked most was that the actors didn’t try to make their characters solely about sex; you can genuinely feel the dynamic of a living relationship between them. It doesn’t feel like you’re just watching a ‘bold scene.’
You also get to understand the equation between the characters. In a way, this feels like a more mature version of Lust Stories.
The segment with Shakun Batra is also quite fascinating for me. Because the problems in the relationship here are not dramatic villains. The problem lies within the relationship itself. There is a communication gap, unresolved thoughts, family pressure, and emotional distance, and intimacy is not only a physical but also an emotional function in a relationship. This is the thing.
And these things are also quite relatable. And I would say this because you can appreciate this segment as a more realistic portrayal of modern relationships.
This is the reason why I feel that, seeing the title of Lust Stories 3, people who come expecting only bold content will definitely get a little surprise.
Because this time, this franchise seems to be talking more about intimacy than lust.
But look, nothing is perfect. The same issue that was present in Waiting Hai exists here: there is a certain unevenness.
The four stories aren’t all on the same level, and that is the biggest criticism. However, if you view them as distinct, separate stories, you might find it easier to accept.
Despite the unevenness, it remains enjoyable. Regarding the ranking of the stories, opinions may vary.
The anthology starts very strong but seems to lose its way a bit as it progresses. Yet, it is certain that you will find the fourth story to be the best of the lot.
Most importantly, the segment featuring Aditi and Siddharth is the one you will enjoy the most.
I mean, that is the major issue with anthologies: not every story is alike, yet viewers expect to enjoy every single part of it.
So, getting back to the earlier stories, the first and second installments really build up a sense of possibility, making you think, “Life could be like this,” or “This “should” happen here.”
However, some segments do feel a bit stretched and repetitive; there are moments where you feel the story could have easily ended sooner. That is precisely why Lust Stories 3 ends up being just a “one-time watch.”
So, if you don’t have anything special lined up to watch this weekend, you should definitely check out Lust Stories.
That’s all for now. See you again soon.