R Madhavan’s directorial debut, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, has been creating a buzz since its World Premiere at the coveted 75th Cannes Film Festival. The film, which he also wrote and stars in traces the life of Narayanan, renowned for developing the Vikas Engine – one of the most efficient, liquid fuel engines in the world today that continues to be a workhorse at The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in almost every launch with the unique distinction of never having failed – the former ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer was inevitably embroiled in a spy scandal.
The actor-turned-director has opened up about how he changed the entire script after having a conversation with former ISRO scientist, Nambi Narayanan. In an interview, Madhavan revealed why he wanted to make the film and how the script was changed.
The actor said he came up with the idea after seeing tears in Nambi Nararyan’s eyes and how he could feel how hurt and upset the scientist was to get any acknowledgement and the embarrassment his family faced because of the false accusation.
Madhavan also revealed that he rewrote the script after meeting with Narayan. He reportedly said that only after meeting him, he got to know that Narayanan was a student of a league university in the USA and also had a working experience with the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Staged on a mammoth scale, the film has been shot in India, France, Canada, Georgia, Serbia and Russia. It features an ensemble star cast comprising acclaimed, international actors Phyllis Logan, Vincent Riotta and Ron Donachiealongside R Madhavan, Simran, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra, Misha Ghoshal, Gulshan Grover, Karthik Kumar and Dinesh Prabhakar, with special appearances from superstars, Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya. See, the biographical drama will unveil the truth behind the mystery as it unravels in an interview by celebrated superstar of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan (in English and Hindi) and Suriya Sivakumar (in Tamil) on a TV programme.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is produced by TriColour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures and 27th Investments. The film is being distributed by UFO Moviez in India, with Red Giants distributing in the South, and distributed internationally by Yash Raj Films and Phars Film Co.
