Ali Fazal has found a new kind of appreciation from audiences following his performance in Lust Stories 3, with social media users affectionately calling him the latest “pookie”. His co-star Radhikka Madan has now spoken about the actor’s performance, describing him as a phenomenal and highly versatile performer.
Fazal and Madan headline Shakun Batra’s segment in the Netflix anthology, which premiered on September 18. The segment has attracted attention for its portrayal of a complicated relationship and the emotional differences between its two central characters.
Radhikka Madan Praises Ali Fazal’s Versatility
Speaking about her experience working with Fazal, Madan praised his acting ability, versatility and willingness to experiment.
She said Fazal is a phenomenal actor who is highly versatile and talented. According to Madan, he is also open to improvisation and brings unusual creative ideas to the set, making the collaboration particularly rewarding.
Madan revealed that she was excited when she learned that Fazal had been cast opposite her. She said that working with accomplished actors is something performers naturally look forward to, and she found Fazal particularly enjoyable to work with because of his openness during filming.
Why Ali Fazal’s ‘Pookie’ Image Is Trending
The internet’s new “pookie” tag for Fazal comes largely from the contrast between his recent screen roles.
In Mirzapur: The Movie, Fazal returns as Guddu Pandit, a character associated with aggression, power and a hardened personality. In Lust Stories 3, he takes on the very different role of Varun, who is portrayed as emotionally vulnerable and considerably softer.
Madan highlighted this contrast while discussing her co-star’s performance. She noted that Fazal was able to play Varun in a manner that worked against the expectations created by his physical appearance and previous roles.
That transformation has helped generate a different response from viewers, with social media conversations increasingly focusing on Fazal’s softer and more vulnerable screen persona.
Radhikka Madan and Ali Fazal in ‘Lust Stories 3’
The Shakun Batra segment follows Varun and Sailee, played by Fazal and Madan, as they navigate a troubled relationship.
The story explores emotional incompatibility, physical attraction and the difficulties that arise when two people struggle to communicate their needs. Their relationship is presented through a mix of humour, vulnerability and tension.
Madan’s Sailee is also written as a layered character with her own flaws and frustrations. The actor has previously spoken about relating to certain aspects of the character while also recognising behaviour she would challenge in real life.
Madan Says She Enjoys Improvisation
One aspect of working with Fazal that Madan particularly appreciated was his willingness to improvise.
The actor said both performers enjoy improvisation and that Fazal often brings unexpected ideas into a scene. She described the experience as creatively satisfying, especially while developing the dynamics between Varun and Sailee.
The comments offer some insight into the collaborative process behind the segment and the way the actors approached characters that were intentionally different from their familiar screen images.
‘Lust Stories 3’ Brings Together Four Filmmakers
The third instalment of the Lust Stories franchise features four separate stories directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj.
The anthology continues the franchise’s focus on intimacy, desire, relationships and the complexities of contemporary personal lives. The third edition features an ensemble cast that includes Ali Fazal, Radhikka Madan, Vijay Varma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Konkona Sen Sharma and other performers.
The Shakun Batra segment has particularly drawn attention for the chemistry between Fazal and Madan and the contrast between their characters.
From Guddu Pandit to Varun
Fazal’s transition from Guddu Pandit to Varun has become one of the most discussed aspects of his recent work.
While Guddu is a physically aggressive and strategically driven character in the Mirzapur universe, Varun requires a different performance built around emotional vulnerability and relationship conflict.
Madan pointed to precisely this difference when discussing Fazal’s work, noting that the actor managed to create a character that was significantly softer than audiences might expect based on his physical presence and earlier roles.
The contrasting performances have also demonstrated the range Fazal has been able to bring to characters across film and streaming projects.
Radhikka Madan on Her Character Sailee
Madan has also discussed the imperfections of Sailee and the way the character approaches relationships.
In a recent interview, she said she would challenge Sailee over her tendency to avoid confronting difficult situations. At the same time, she said she could relate to the character’s willingness to stand up for herself and express what she wants.
The actor has also spoken about how Lust Stories 3 approaches female desire and relationships without reducing its women characters to decorative roles. She has argued that contemporary cinema is increasingly giving female characters greater depth and narrative importance.
Ali Fazal’s Changing Screen Image
The response to Fazal’s performance in Lust Stories 3 comes at an interesting point in his career.
After becoming widely recognised for Guddu Pandit in Mirzapur, the actor has continued to explore different types of characters. His portrayal of Varun offers another departure from the intense image associated with some of his better-known roles.
The “pookie” trend reflects the audience response to that softer performance, while Madan’s comments highlight the acting choices and improvisation that went into creating the character.
With Lust Stories 3 continuing to generate conversations around its four stories and performances, Fazal’s contrasting roles have added another dimension to the discussion around his versatility.
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