On October 4, Netflix unveiled its latest cyber thriller, CTRL, featuring Ananya Panday in the lead role as Nella. The actress recently took to Instagram to share heartfelt behind-the-scenes pictures from the film’s set, expressing her gratitude towards director Vikramaditya Motwane for providing her with invaluable lessons throughout the filmmaking process.
In her post, Ananya wrote, “@motwayne you know exactly how I feel.. love you toooo much and I can never thank you enough – this is a core memory and one of my biggest learnings.” The accompanying images showcase not only Ananya but also Motwane and other crew members who contributed to the making of CTRL.
Ananya further extended her appreciation to the audience for the positive reception of her character, Nella, stating, “Grateful for all the love and appreciation Nella and CTRL are getting. Reading everything and smiling very wide.” She also expressed her thanks to the entire cast, crew, and Netflix for the opportunity to work on this project.
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CTRL is crafted in a unique “screen life” format, a storytelling approach that highlights the influence of social media on personal relationships. The film, shot by cinematographer Pratik Shah and edited by Jahaan Noble, revolves around Nella and her boyfriend Joe (played by Vihaan Samat), a young couple navigating the complexities of their relationship under the scrutiny of social media.
As their initially sweet romance morphs into a transactional relationship, the narrative explores the impact of vlogging on their intimacy. The story takes a dramatic turn when Nella discovers Joe’s infidelity, leading her to use the CTRL app to erase him from her digital life, which results in his literal disappearance from reality.
Produced by Nikhil Dwivedi under Saffron and Andolan Films, CTRL marks Ananya’s second collaboration with Vihaan after their Prime Video series Call Me Bae. With its intriguing premise and fresh perspective on the challenges faced by social media influencers, CTRL is sure to keep audiences engaged.
Looking ahead, Ananya is set to star alongside Akshay Kumar in the biographical drama Shankara, further expanding her repertoire in diverse roles. As she continues to evolve in her craft, Ananya’s dedication to her work and willingness to learn from experiences like those on the set of CTRL highlight her growth as an actress in the competitive landscape of the entertainment industry.