Director: R. Madhavan
Cast: R Madhavan, Simran, Anuritta Jha and others
Where: In theatres near you
Rating: 3.5 stars
Actor turned writer-director R Madhavan brings an untold story of an Indian scientist Nambi Narayanan, which is a perfect mix of a human drama and triumph over all the odds. From working at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to receiving Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award by the Government of India, in 2019, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect beautifully showcases his journey.
R Madhavan (Nambi Narayanan), an aerospace engineer, lives a peaceful life with his wife Meena (Simran) and children in Trivandrum but things turn upside down when he is falsely charged with espionage and arrested in 1994. However, the charges against him are dismissed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 1996 and the Supreme Court of India gives him a clean chit in 1998. Nambi was instrumental in developing the Vikas engine that was used for the first PSLV that India launched and accomplished Mars mission in the first attempt. He was also incharge of the cryogenics division.
R. Madhavan carefully handpicks important events from Nambi’s life and beautifully brings them alive on the big canvas. For a first-time writer-director, he does a spectacular job. However, the first half is too technical that may be a major concern for the audiences. Although the film isn’t for the masses, still the first half lacks the grip with technical terminology and too many English dialogues. Also, if you aren’t aware about Nambi’s adventurous life, you may fail to have a connect.
The second half surprises with too many emotions. The transition of the film from a science lecture to a human drama is commendable. Madhavan takes you on an emotional journey ahead and climax is the high point of the film, which sees Shah Rukh Khan (playing himself) apologising to Nambi Narayanan on behalf of the whole nation on a talk show.
Madhavan as Nambi Narayanan is honest, sincere and convincing. The hard work he has put in to portray Nambi with perfection is evident, be it putting on weight or getting the facial hair and hairdo correct, nothing looks caricaturish. The transformation of his body language over the years is noticeable. Another artist who shines out in the film is Simran, who plays Nambi’s better half, Meena. Her d-glam look, silence, aggression and pain is applaudable. Gangs of Wasseypur fame Anuritta Jha is good in her small yet pivotal role of a Maldivian girl, through whom Kerala police falsely accuse Nambi and declare him a traitor.
The highlight of the film is the special appearance of Shah Rukh Khan, who comes and goes but makes the narrative solid and engaging. His scene where he turns teary eyed and shares screen space with the real Nambi Narayanan is a rare cinematic sight. We don’t see such a gut wrenching climax easily.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect definitely holds a cult status but it is a niche film. R. Madhavan seems aware of what his film has to offer but the attempt to make this biopic is no less than an achievement.
