Former ISRO scientists slam Madhavan's Rocketry: The Nambi Effect; call the biopic a bluff

A group of former ISRO scientists have slammed Madhavan's latest film, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which is a biopic on former space scientist, Nambi Narayanan, who was implicated in an espionage case and was later exonerated. In a meeting called by the ex-scientists in Thiruvananthapuram recently, the space scientists stated that the claims made by ex-ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan in the film and through the media, were false and that it defamed the space organisation.

The former scientists included AE Muthunayagam, Director, LPSE, ISRO; Prof E V S Namboothiri, project director, cryogenic engine and D Sasikumaran, Deputy Director, cryogenic engine. They claimed that the majority of the portions in connection with the ISRO was false. The scientists stated that the claims made by Nambi Narayanan in the film, that he was the brain behind the majority of the projects at the ISRO, were false as well. They added that the scene in the film where Nambi Narayanan corrects space scientist and former Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam, was also incorrect.

According to them, Narayanan's claim that his arrest had led to a delay in India acquiring cryogenic technology, in the film, was wrong, too. The scientists stated that ISRO began to develop cryogenic technology in the 1980s and that Narayanan did not have any connection with the project. Former scientist EVS Namboothiri was said to be in-charge of the same at the point. They added that many developments took place in cryogenic technology after Nambi Narayanan's departure. They also stated that Narayanan was not part of the project and had no contribution to the same. They also called for critical examination of those portions.

The team of Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is yet to respond to the scientists' allegations. The film, which released on July 1, was well received by the audience.