CTRL
Introduction
The screenlife on celluloid has evolved since the film Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless mind, which wasn’t technically a screenlife film but definitely futuristic with respect to the dynamics of relationships in the era of technology. But while that film was about second chances, the era of technology has continued to get darker with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The first film that depicted the screenlife accurately was the 2018 English film titled Searching wherein the entire film did unfold on a computer screen. That film did not necessarily have the concept of AI integrated with its plot, but it definitely featured a tense thriller following the story of a father searching for his missing daughter by simply using her digital footprint. The point in contention here was the digital footprint that has now been an essential part of our lives in the era of technology. With the new Hindi film CTRL, visionary director Vikramaditya Motwane goes a notch higher with this concept of AI taking control of our lives, consciously and subconsciously speaking. And while it may hardly come as a surprise from a concept level, given our resentment to technology or even AI that we use to create data around us and simply feed the beast which makes it a powerful entity. But the threat is even more real because of this fact – technology may already have turn us into slaves without knowing it, and this film acts as a timely reminder for it.
Story & Screenplay
The tone of CTRL is almost casual with its setting and characters who seemingly and unwittingly have already surrendered to their fate with respect to the technology. So you are introduced to Nella and Joe, the hip ‘Influenzer Couple’ of the internet who do promote their brand Njoy and their relationship status quo as a medium for data. This means essentially using their relationship (of being a couple) to get brand deals and influence other people to engage with them and their personal lives, and invariably the products that they endorse. It is seemingly unclear particularly in the era of technology whether the love between them is real or not, a plot-point further accentuated following an incident involving Nella catching Joe red-handed while kissing another girl. Clearly, Joe wasn’t fully into Nella and the more practical of the two, wherein he does question if their relationship was real in the first place (remember Kho Gaye Hum Kahan). But while you witness the outburst of Nella to his response, you still get a sense of an artificial drama that is being staged, weirdly in a way wherein Nella unknowingly wants to believe that she herself is the story as opposed to being in one. This was an important detail in the drama given how consumed Nella has been with respect to the technology wherein her life is immersed in the virtual world.
One of the key implications of technology is loneliness, and we see that at two separate instances in the life of Nella. One wherein she undergoes a breakup with Joe, and the other wherein her world has completely toppled over at the end. In both cases, the common thread is of comfort – that of sinking her the sorrows with respect to the virtual world, and more specifically an Internet Avatar that doubles as her companion (or does it?). It is important to understand the psyche of Nella here that was in no state to introspect and distinguish the implications that technology would have in her life, thereby creating a vicious circle for herself that she initially refuses to, but ultimately cannot get out. Also note the tone of the drama here – it hardly throws a cautionary wind to its viewers even as you are introduced to Allen, an acronym-titled avatar (read : AI) of Nella specifically launched to erase memories of her ex-beloved Joe.
The proceedings are immersive here to a point that you are also consumed by the new entity with whom you witness Nella sharing a playful bond. But it is only a matter of time when the writers introduce a twist that changes the scenario of the drama while suddenly shifting gears. The writers are still meticulous in restraining the cautionary winds of danger during this little phase even as Nella, who has sudden risen to the top of the influenzer pack courtsey her new AI-assistance Allen, is shown to jostle given the disappearance of Joe. There are subtle hints thrown in with respect to the ‘controls’ shifting from the real world to the virtual world that briefly breaks Nella’s psychological pattern with respect to her ‘reel’ world, wherein you see her stepping out into the ‘real’ world for an important chore.
The lines are drawing in such a way that it hardly comes as a surprise as to where the drama is headed – a shocking set of details, a chain of events leading to the murder of a whistle blower and the eventual reveal and the helpless entrapment of Nella in the larger scheme of things. While I did wish that the revelation itself wasn’t as simplistic, and something that needed to be layered with perhaps another twist in the tale to cut the monotony, the entire final act can also be looked upon from a political gaze. Imagine all of us being fed with consistent set of lies to a point that we all start believing it to be the truth. Seems familiar? The same acts as a social commentary of sorts depicting the larger herd-mentality of slaves that also extends to the digital world wherein everything that is read is taken to be a source of truth (and yes, no questions asked or else….). It is clear that certain incidents featuring Nella are borrowed from a real incident, a witch hunt of sorts that consumed the fantasies of an entire nation. And it was at this point that the entire sequence could have been further fleshed out even while keeping an unwavering focus on AI, which wasn’t to be. But the ending itself was the other half of the vicious circle, wherein a lonely Nella did surrender to her fate with respect to her reality and technology with mekancholic undertones, an ‘option’ that was also at her disposal. The screenplay here is riveting and makes for a immersive experience.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are specifically catered to the Gen Z and they seamlessly and brilliantly feel a part of the world where the drama is set in. The music does offer a cutting edge soundtrack of sorts that does highlight the different moods of Nella while having a pop-cultural influence with regard to how the internet sees Nella (a brilliant integration of Yashraj Mukhate in the mix). The BGM is strictly grounded and smartly used to undermine the dangers of AI that we are already living in. The cinematography is brilliantly featuring frames that depict the essence of the virtual world brilliantly so. And coupled with the lighting, it paints a quiet little haunting picture of a lurking danger in our own living room (quite meta I must say) that would eventually blur the realms of reality if it hasn’t already. The editing features some amazing transition shots that switch screens seamlessly while keeping the levels of tension in the drama in check, both effectively and deliberately so. Director Vikramaditya Motwane is often known to tap into interesting concepts while pushing the boundaries of filmmaking. And he doesn’t miss a beat here with CTRL. He definitely manages to create a lurking danger that resembles the 70s slasher thrillers but with the integration of technology and AI as the masked killer. And Nella along with the viewers are treated like that damsel in distress who would still lurk in the dark despite knowing her fate fully well. Motwane maintains this irony in his narrative style right throughout except deliberately diluting its effects to present a general perception of AI being ‘not that dangerous and extremely useful’. The integration of a social commentary was exceptional filmmaking wherein the vision of the director presents an unwavering focus.
Performances
The performances are excellent by the members of the cast. The OG gang featuring Tanmay, Kullu, Rohan Joshi and Vishal Dayama make their presence felt even as their sequence is intelligently integrated in the drama. Kamakshi Bhat as Shonali and Devika Vatsa as Bina represent two characters at opposite ends of the spectrum, both in terms of the implications of technology that they are exposed to, and their political stand in real lives. And both of them.are exceptional and leave a lasting impression despite a limited screen time. Vihaan Samat as Joe is brilliant in a career-defining character who doubles up as a whistle-blower of sorts while blurring the boundaries of reality. He is wonderful with his body-language particularly in his monologue at the end, and he makes for a solid impact with his impeccable performance. Ananya Panday is having the time of her life in 2024. If it was a wonderfully effective act as Bae in Call Me Bae, she is incredibly good as Nella here. The seamless transition that Ananya makes towards her character Nella made me believe that she did understand the world really well. And the character traits of her real and reel life with respect to her character made it a brilliant casting decision. This may seem to be a straight-forward performance but she does tap into the intricacies of her character really well while touching upon a range of emotions presented through her solid character arc. More power to you Ananya, you go gal (and stick to this zone for a while).
Conclusion
CTRL is a riveting and immersive thriller with brilliantly controlled performances that makes for a solid watch. It deliberately underplays the lurking danger in your living room while serving up a drama that acts both as a mirror for the present and as a warning for the future. Available on Netflix.