Vikramaditya Motwane breaks down CTRL’s alternate ending: ‘There was a version where Nella goes out for revenge’

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Vikramaditya Motwane: The Genre-Hopping Filmmaker Behind India’s First Screenlife Thriller

Vikramaditya Motwane is a refreshing anomaly in the Indian film industry, a director who consistently defies expectations by venturing into diverse genres. From the coming-of-age drama “Udaan” (2010) to the romantic thriller “Lootera” (2013), the escape thriller “Trapped” (2016), and the vigilante film “Bhavesh Joshi Superhero” (2018), Motwane’s filmography is a testament to his versatility.

Motwane’s Diverse Filmography: A Product of Rebellion and Passion

Motwane attributes his genre-hopping to a combination of factors, including a desire to rebel against typecasting and a deep love for all kinds of cinema. “I just love every kind of movie – Hindi commercial movies, art films, genre films – I’m a big fan of experimental films and series,” he says. “So when you’re a fan of all kinds of cinema, then you also want to be able to do all of it. Why restrict yourself to a certain kind of thing?”

The Birth of CTRL: India’s First Screenlife Thriller

Motwane’s latest film, “CTRL,” marks a significant milestone in Indian cinema as the country’s first screenlife thriller. Inspired by pioneering screenlife movies like “Unfriended” (2014) and “Searching” (2018), “CTRL” unfolds entirely on computer screens, immersing viewers in the digital world of its protagonist, Nella.

The Challenges and Rewards of Screenlife Storytelling

Creating a screenlife film presented unique challenges for Motwane and his team. “The toughest aspect wasn’t the research, but the technical execution,” he says. “Every single thing has to be created on that desktop. We had to create the operating system, new versions of Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, whatever. Not only that, you’ve to put all the videos inside, all the captions, all the numbers, all the comments. Every single suggestion has to be created and vetted by legal.” Despite the challenges, Motwane embraced the limitations of the format, viewing them as an opportunity to experiment and innovate.

The Future of Vikramaditya Motwane

With “CTRL” now released, Motwane is already looking ahead to his next projects, which include the documentary “Indi(r)a’s Emergency” and the prison drama “Black Warrant.” While he hasn’t ruled out a return to theaters, he is currently focused on exploring the world of streaming and television. Regardless of the medium, one thing is certain: Vikramaditya Motwane will continue to push boundaries and挑战 norms with his unique and captivating storytelling.

References:

• Hindustan Times: Vikramaditya Motwane on his diverse filmography, genre-hopping, the challenge of storytelling, CTRL