Exclusive! Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is a film I'll always be proud of, says actor-director R Madhavan

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which will hit the screens on July 1, marks R Madhavan’s debut as a filmmaker. The story is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a scientist and engineer with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who was accused of espionage.

Madhavan tells OTTplay that he was not interested in directing, and the commitment was thrown at him at the last minute. “I could drop the project or take it on as director. There was just a month left for the shoot, so I did not want to give up. Then, I realised I had never directed a film before. Given Rocketry's scale, the task seemed herculean.”

The actor observes the process of filmmaking wasn't easy. “The glitz and glamour you see outside are only superficial. A lot of sweat (literally), long hours of work, sleepless nights, and a lot of stress are behind it. Every department brings with it its own set of skills. Initially, it was a tad overwhelming, but a friend suggested that I don't view it as an entire picture. He said, ‘take it one shot at a time’. His advice was quite useful. There has been no looking back since then!”

Madhavan felt humbled by everyone’s trust, including that of Nambi Narayanan. “My choice of this story as my first script was not based on logical reasoning. Nambi Narayanan's story and his desire to tell the world what happened moved us all deeply. My decision was based purely on passion. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is a film I'll always be proud of.”

The actor-director felt it was his duty to take up the job because Nambi Narayanan believed in him. “When I met Mr Nambi first, I had a shallow idea about his achievements and who he was. Eventually, after knowing his story pretty well, I was moved to tears.”

Madhavan reveals that Nambi Narayanan was doubtful whether an actor like him could understand the achievements of a rocket scientist. The Tanu Weds Manu star says that he didn't want to dwell on controversies involving Nambi Narayanan; instead, he focused on the achievements of the Padma Bhushan winner. “There were lots of stories to tell, and of course, with so much truth attached,” he smiles.

Quiz Madhavan if he's planning to direct again, he says, not in the immediate future. On a lighter note, he adds, “Oh, Saritha will chuck me out of the house if I go and tell her I want to make another film. I better focus on acting for now!"