In the world of cinematic storytelling, few undertakings require as much precision and careful consideration as deciding the trajectory of a film’s narrative. This is a sentiment that Vikramaditya Motwane, renowned for his unique storytelling abilities and compelling directorial ventures, seems to understand intimately, especially when it comes to his latest creation, the film CTRL. Released on Netflix, this film stars the talented Ananya Panday and has quickly garnered significant attention from audiences and critics alike. However, it is not merely the suspenseful plot and magnetic performances that have sparked conversations but also the choices made in the film’s narrative development.
Recently, in a candid discussion, Motwane shared insights into the potential direction the film could have taken and addressed the lingering questions about a possible sequel. Interestingly, Motwane revealed that the original draft of CTRL concluded quite differently, with a focus on a revenge-laden closure for the character Nella. Portrayed by Ananya Panday, Nella’s narrative was initially penned to take a more vindictive turn, marking a significant deviation from the film’s final version.
Yet, as Motwane deliberated the narrative’s structure and the boundaries imposed by the film’s screenlife format—a method that presents the story through computer screens and devices—he arrived at a creative crossroads. Though compelling, a revenge-focused conclusion threatened to disrupt the established flow of the storyline. The concept of screenlife, which provides both creative constraint and unique storytelling potential, would not seamlessly accommodate the dramatic escalation that a revenge plot would necessitate.
During an interview with the Hindustan Times, when questioned about the possibility of exploring Nella’s quest for vengeance in a sequel, that could even step outside the confines of the screenlife format, Motwane’s response was one of contemplation. “Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t buy into a sequel. I think in Nella’s case, she’s doomed. She’s gone down that rabbit hole again,” he remarked.
. This perspective underscores his belief that CTRL may best serve its audience as a cautionary tale, rather than extending into the realm of retribution-driven storylines.
In crafting the film, Motwane originally envisioned escalating Nella’s narrative towards a confrontation with those who had wronged her. However, the magnitude and complexity of her adversaries introduced a challenge. It necessitated choosing between maintaining the innovative screenlife aspect of the film or opting for a more traditional, perhaps grandiose, cinematic ending. He articulated this dilemma, noting, “That’s the moment we realised, why would anyone in that right mind stream this or shoot this, what would be the screenlife element? So very quickly, that went out of the window.”
CTRL, positioned as an acute reflection on the pervasive influence of technology on personal lives, uses its plot to mirror contemporary societal issues. Ananya Panday’s character Nella Awasthi, alongside Vihaan Samat as Joe Mascarenhas, represents a couple entangled in their internet-loving followers’ adoration. However, the narrative pivots sharply when their idyllic online existence is upended, plunging Nella deeper into technology’s grasp, symbolized by the “CTRL” application, post-breakup.
Ananya Panday, in a statement released by Netflix, further elaborated on this character journey: “My character Nella is like any of us. She’s caught up in a world dominated by technology and social media. CTRL explores how we navigate the fine line between our online presence and who we are in real life.”
This thematic exploration is at the heart of why Motwane sees the film as a standalone piece. By maintaining the integrity of its cautionary layers and the nuances of its contemplative narrative, the film aims to provoke thought rather than extend its story purely for the sake of continuation. Though some stories lend themselves naturally to further exploration, others, like CTRL, may achieve their greatest impact by remaining within the confines originally conceived by the storyteller. In doing so, Motwane invites the audience to reflect not just on the story presented but on broader implications concerning our digital lives.
