Kiran Rao on Gen Z Love: Why Pre-Marital Intimacy is 'Free-Spirited', Not Childish

Filmmaker কিরণ রাও (Kiran Rao) has sparked a widespread conversation across India regarding the evolving nature of modern relationships and intimacy. During the promotional campaign for the Netflix film Lust Stories 3, Rao addressed the shift in how Gen Z perceives love, arguing that physical relationships before marriage should be viewed as a sign of a "free-spirited mindset" (স্বাধীনচেতা মানসিকতা) rather than mere "childishness" (ছেলেমানুষি).

This perspective comes at a time when traditional Indian social norms are increasingly clashing with the independence of the younger generation, leading to a 600% surge in search interest for the filmmaker on October 4, 2026.

Redefining Intimacy: 'Free-Spirited' vs. 'Childish'

In a recent interview, Rao was asked whether the casual or open approach to relationships seen in her film's younger characters was a sign of immaturity. She rejected this notion, stating that the ability of today's youth to express their feelings and preferences without hesitation is a form of liberation. According to Rao, the world has changed, and the way people express themselves and form bonds must change with it.

Generational Contrast: Then vs. Now

Rao drew a clear distinction between the relationship dynamics of her own generation and those of Gen Z. She noted that in the past, relationships were heavily dictated by strict social norms and family expectations, where deep emotional or physical intimacy was seen as "normal" only after marriage.

Feature	Previous Generations	Gen Z (as viewed by Kiran Rao)
Primary Driver	Social norms & family expectations	Personal preference & independence
Intimacy Timing	Primarily post-marriage	Open to pre-marital relationships
Expression	Bound by specific expectations	Uninhibited and "free-spirited"

Lust Stories 3: Reflecting Modern Realities

The themes discussed by Rao are central to the narrative of Lust Stories 3 on Netflix. The anthology film aims to mirror these contemporary shifts, exploring a spectrum of intimacy—from the challenges of marital reluctance to the freedom and attraction experienced by the youth. Rao emphasized that the film attempts to capture the "freshness, independence, and mindset of choosing relationships on one's own terms" that characterizes the current era.

By framing these changes as a natural progression of time rather than a lapse in morality, Rao positions the modern approach to dating and intimacy as an evolution of personal autonomy.