CTRL Movie: Vikramaditya Motwane’s Groundbreaking Screenlife Thriller

CTRL, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is a pioneering screenlife thriller that brings a fresh and unique storytelling approach to Hindi cinema. Known for his versatility, Motwane’s filmography is filled with diverse genres, including coming-of-age drama, romantic tragedy, and thrillers. With CTRL, Motwane steps into the digital world of screenlife cinema, a genre previously dominated by Western films such as Unfriended (2014) and Searching (2018).

This film not only highlights Motwane’s willingness to experiment with new storytelling methods but also showcases his commitment to pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema. With a compelling narrative, intriguing characters, and a mix of digital culture. CTRL has quickly become a noteworthy addition to Motwane’s impressive body of work.

The Concept of Screenlife Cinema in CTRL

Screenlife cinema is a format where the entire story unfolds through a computer or phone screen. In CTRL, this concept is brought to life through the eyes of Nella, played by Ananya Panday. Who interacts with her world primarily through her digital devices. This style of filmmaking gained popularity with the success of Western films, but it remains relatively unexplored in Indian cinema, making CTRL a significant contribution to the genre.

Motwane was inspir by pioneering screenlife thrillers and worked closely with his screenwriter Avinash Sampath to develop a story that evolves from a lover’s quarrel into something far more insidious. The film reflects the online culture in India. Capturing the nuances of digital interactions, social media influencers, and the consequences of living in an interconnected world.

The Collaboration Behind the Movie

One of the key aspects of CTRL is Motwane’s collaborative approach. Recognizing the need for authenticity, especially in a genre that heavily relies on the dynamics of the internet, he brought in writers and actors who are in tune with today’s digital landscape. Sumukhi Suresh, a well-known comedian and writer, contributed to the dialogue, ensuring that it felt fresh and relatable for younger audiences.

Motwane was also keen on not imposing his perspective as someone in his 40s onto a story about 20-somethings navigating the internet. He enlisted Ananya Panday to play the lead role and surrounded her with popular digital personalities like Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi, and Yashraj Mukhate to infuse the movie with a strong understanding of today’s meme culture. Ananya Panday herself noted how well Motwane understood the online world, despite his initial reservations.

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Creating the Visual World of CTRL

One of the most challenging aspects of making CTRL was the technical execution. Unlike traditional films, where actors are the primary focus of the camera, screenlife cinema requires the entire narrative to be built within a digital environment. Every element, from operating systems to social media platforms, had to be meticulously crafted.

Motwane and his team had to design unique versions of Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and other online platforms. Each screen displayed on Nella’s computer or phone was carefully created to reflect the real-world digital environment while also staying true to the fictional world of the film. Even the smallest details, such as captions, comments, and notifications, had to be vetted by legal teams to avoid any potential issues.

This process was time-consuming and labor-intensive, as Motwane explained: “You don’t realize it, but every single thing has to be created on that desktop. We had to create the operating system, new versions of Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, whatever.” The attention to detail in the visual design ensured that the film felt authentic and immersive, pulling the audience deeper into Nella’s world.

The Role of Allen, the AI Avatar

In CTRL, one of the most crucial characters is not human at all. Allen, an Artificial Intelligence avatar, plays a pivotal role in Nella’s interactions. This AI character was designed with the mass market in mind, unlike the boutique AIs seen in films like Her (2013) or Ex Machina (2014).

Allen is designed to be a friendly, interactive AI assistant, capable of managing social media, erasing a person’s past, and providing guidance. Motwane wanted Allen to feel like a product created by a company for everyday consumers. The AI character even offers different personality types for users to choose from, with Allen being a comic flirt. This design choice adds an extra layer of relatability, as AI assistants and chatbots have become increasingly common in real life.

The Alternate Ending of CTRL

During the early stages of writing CTRL, Motwane and Sampath envisioned a different ending for Nella’s character. In the initial draft, Nella was suppos to go out for revenge, marking a darker and more aggressive conclusion. However, as the story developed, the filmmakers realized that this ending would clash with the screenlife format they were using.

Motwane explained that one of the biggest challenges in screenlife cinema is staying true to the format while telling an organic story. “Why would anyone in their right mind stream this or shoot this?” he asked, referring to the revenge narrative. In the end, the filmmakers chose to let Nella’s story unfold within the limitations of the screenlife genre. Making her journey more tragic and cautionary, rather than one of vengeance.

The Sequel That Could Have Been

While fans of the film might be intrigued by the idea of a revenge-driven sequel, Motwane has no plans to pursue it. He feels that Nella’s story has reached a natural conclusion, and extending it into a revenge saga would detract from the film’s message.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t buy into a sequel. I think in Nella’s case, she’s doomed,” he said when asked about the possibility of a continuation. For Motwane, CTRL serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of the digital world, and it’s best left that way.

Vikramaditya Motwane’s Diverse Filmography

CTRL is just one example of Vikramaditya Motwane’s genre-hopping career. From his debut with Udaan (2010) to his romantic drama Lootera (2013) and vigilante film Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018), Motwane has proven that he is not afraid to explore different styles of storytelling.

For Motwane, the key to staying fresh as a filmmaker is constantly challenging himself with new genres and techniques. He believes that working with different people and adopting new filmmaking styles keeps the creative process exciting and rewarding. “If it’s not challenging to you, then what’s the point of even doing it?” he says.

What’s Next for Vikramaditya Motwane?

After the release of CTRL, Vikramaditya Motwane has two major projects in the pipeline – Indi(r)a’s Emergency and the prison drama Black Warrant. Both projects are expect to be releas on streaming platforms, meaning Motwane will stay away from theatres for the time being.

However, the director has expressed his desire to return to theatrical releases, especially in the action genre. Motwane’s last theatrical release was Bhavesh Joshi Superhero in 2018, and he is excited to see what the future holds for action films in Indian cinema.

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Conclusion

CTRL is a groundbreaking film that showcases Vikramaditya Motwane’s ability to embrace new storytelling formats while staying true to the art of cinema. As India’s first screenlife thriller, it blends technology, suspense, and real-world internet culture to deliver a unique and engaging cinematic experience. With his diverse filmography and passion for innovation. Motwane continues to be one of the most exciting filmmakers in Indian cinema today.