Vikramaditya Motwane DEFENDS casting Ananya Panday in CTRL: “There’s a slight prejudice against nepo kids”

CTRL, Vikramaditya Motwane’s latest cyber-thriller, marks the first collaboration between the acclaimed director and actress Ananya Panday. The film, which centres around the erasure of digital footprints through AI, surprised many as it brought together two seemingly different cinematic approaches. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Motwane opened up about his casting choice and discussed the broader conversation around nepotism in Bollywood, with particular reference to "nepo kids" like Ananya Panday and Sonam Kapoor.Vikramaditya Motwane on Nepotism and Casting Ananya PandayVikramaditya Motwane, known for his films Udaan and Jubilee, addressed the criticism that often surrounds children of industry insiders, often referred to as "nepo kids." He explained that while nepotism is widely discussed, it is also frequently misunderstood. "There’s a slight prejudice that happens against nepo kids. People feel that they’ve got it very easy," Motwane noted. However, he emphasised that talent and hard work ultimately determine success in the industry. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who you are. If you aren’t good at your work, not talented, don’t work hard, and not show your potential onscreen, nothing will matter."Motwane highlighted Ananya Panday as a perfect fit for her role in CTRL, despite public perception being shaped by her background. He stressed that audiences often have a fixed image of actors who come from film families, making it difficult for them to be taken seriously at times.Ananya Panday and Sonam Kapoor: Breaking Preconceived NotionsThe director also pointed out the accomplishments of both Ananya Panday and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, praising them for their individuality. He described Ananya as someone who has built her career based on her own merit, remarking, “Ananya has been doing that on the back of her own strength.”He also praised Sonam Kapoor, known for her style and fashion, as one of the biggest readers in the industry. “People make a lot of generalisations about actors. Ananya is a reader. In fact, one of the biggest readers in the industry is Sonam Kapoor," Motwane revealed. This statement may surprise some, given that Sonam is often perceived as merely a fashionista. “We’ve to look beyond pre-conceived notions,” he added, stating that actors are much more than the labels the public attaches to them.In the lighthearted conclusion to his thoughts, Motwane touched on how preconceptions don’t only apply to actors but also to filmmakers like himself. “A lot of people also have this perception about me that I’m not fun,” he joked. Speaking of the film, CTRL set to release on Netflix on October 4. Also Read: CTRL Trailer: Ananya Panday’s life takes a twisted turn due to AI after boyfriend Vihaan Samat’s infidelity in Vikramaditya Motwane’s cyber thriller, watch