While Ctrl raises timely concerns about digital dependence and data privacy, the film’s two-dimensional storytelling limits its impact despite strong performances by Panday and Vihaan Samat.
Ananya Panday and Vikramaditya Motwane’s latest film, Ctrl, explores the modern obsession with online apps and digital lives. Directed by Motwane and written by Avinash Sampath, the film offers a glimpse into a world where technology has taken over, blurring the lines between our real and digital selves.
The story follows Nella Awasthi (Ananya Panday) and Joe Mascarenhas (Vihaan Samat), a couple whose relationship is as much a social media phenomenon as it is personal. Their online presence, celebrated through anniversaries, brand deals, and constant posts, reflects the pervasive influence of the digital world on our everyday lives.
However, the film takes a darker turn when Joe, working for a tech company, uncovers a sinister plot by a corporation to mine user data and gain control over people’s lives—something that most of us unknowingly consent to by ignoring “terms and conditions” in apps. While Ctrl raises thought-provoking issues about privacy, surveillance, and our increasing dependence on technology, the themes feel somewhat familiar in a world where AI and digital avatars have become an integral part of our reality.
Ananya Panday and Vihaan Samat deliver solid performances, but the film often feels constrained by its reliance on digital imagery, losing some depth in storytelling. The characters are at their most compelling when they break away from the screen, reminding us of the contrast between the real world and the digital one.
Despite its engaging premise, Ctrl sometimes feels limited in its execution, offering reflections on technology that, while relevant, don’t feel entirely new. Still, its cautionary message about the power of tech in our lives resonates, particularly in an era where digital avatars and deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
