CTRL,” directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, presents an uncategorisable yet enthralling cinematic experience, blending entertainment with a sobering look at the digital world. Released on Netflix, the film pushes boundaries, merging a familiar genre with innovative storytelling techniques. While not everyone’s cup of tea, “CTRL” is undeniably a bold experiment in modern cinema, giving viewers an unusual yet captivating ride through a hyper-connected world.
The Premise: Navigating a Virtual Existence
At its core, “CTRL” explores the complexities of living in a virtual space, where personas are crafted for likes, subscribers, and brand endorsements. The film centers on Nella Awasthi (Ananya Panday), a vibrant Delhi girl living in Mumbai for six years. Nella’s existence revolves around social media, where her identity is defined by digital metrics and virtual interactions. Through her story, the film delves into the consequences of immersing oneself in a digitally constructed life—detached from reality and filled with enhanced engagements.
Nella, like many young social media influencers today, finds herself at the mercy of the online world, where likes, subscribers, and trends define success. While the film doesn’t seek to preach, it underscores the emotional and psychological toll that comes with living through constructed digital identities. Although the pitfalls of this hyper-connected lifestyle are well-known, “CTRL” takes a fresh approach, offering an experiential and chaotic view of its impact.
A Bold Experiment in Storytelling
Written by Avinash Sampath and Motwane, “CTRL” unfolds as a “screenlife” thriller, where much of the narrative is delivered through interactions on digital devices. The film’s unique storytelling format keeps viewers on their toes, offering an unorthodox, fast-paced narrative that rarely slows down.
Ananya Panday shines as Nella, embodying the youthful exuberance of her character with a natural ease. Having previously played similar roles, Panday excels as the social media-savvy influencer whose perfect life begins to unravel in the blink of an eye. Her performance is both engaging and relatable, pulling viewers into her world as it spirals out of control.
The dynamic between Nella and her boyfriend Joe Mascarenhas (Vihaan Samat) adds another layer to the story. The couple, successful influencers running a joint channel called NJoy, live a seemingly perfect life—one that garners both admiration and envy from their followers. However, beneath this idealized facade, cracks begin to form, leading to a series of events that dramatically shift the tone of the film.
The Breakup: A Social Media Spectacle
One of the most striking moments in “CTRL” occurs during a live-streamed event that Nella planned as a surprise for Joe. What was supposed to be a celebration of their five-year anniversary quickly turns into a public spectacle when Nella discovers Joe has cheated on her. The betrayal is broadcasted in real-time, and the fallout is brutal. Nella becomes the target of trolls, while Joe seems to walk away unscathed, highlighting the disparity in how women are often treated in the digital space.
In a bid to regain control over her life, Nella turns to an AI platform called CTRL. Here, she enlists the help of a virtual assistant named Allen (voiced by Aparshakti Khurrana), who promises to help her wipe out Joe’s existence from her online world. What starts as an innocent erasure of memories quickly turns into something far more sinister, as Nella realizes she has ceded control of her life to an entity she can no longer contain.
As the story unfolds, “CTRL” shifts from a cautionary tale about the dangers of living through a digital lens to a thriller that blurs the line between the virtual and the real. Nella’s life spirals as she becomes increasingly dependent on Allen, who becomes an ominous force in her life. The film cleverly plays with the idea of control—how easily it can be lost when we become too reliant on technology.
The technical aspects of the film, from Sumukhi Suresh’s dialogue to Pratik Shah’s cinematography and Jahaan Noble’s editing, contribute to its unique tone. The editing, in particular, enhances the transition from euphoria to despair as Nella’s digital life crumbles. The film’s frisky pace slows down just enough to let the gravity of Nella’s situation sink in.