Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is perhaps my biggest project to date, says Madhavan

As Madhavan’s much-awaited pan-Indian film, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, is all set to hit the screens on July 1, the actor-director met the press on Wednesday. Recalling how this project fell into place, Madhavan said, after the success of Vikram Vedha, his friend suggested that he make a movie, based on real incidents that happened in the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation, who was accused of espionage.

Initially, Madhavan thought of it as a James Bond-ish story that was based on real events, so eventually, he wanted to meet Nambi Narayanan. “That meeting changed my life. I knew him for his intelligence, but only after meeting him, did I realise he had an adorable aura. There was angst in his eyes. Interestingly, Nambi sir was not talking about his achievements, he was only talking about the case.”

Madhavan added he had the urge to write the script as soon as he listened to Nambi Narayanan. “After seven months, I returned to meet him with my final draft. I was blown out of the waters by his yet another shocking revelation. He spoke about his achievements, which left me floored. When I clarified with him again he casually said, ‘I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just worked and got paid’.”

On the reason behind making Rocketry, Madhavan said, it was disappointing that many of us didn’t know that Nambi Narayanan is a Tamilian; born in Nagercoil, and his contribution to the progress of the country was so immense but remained obscure to the public glare. “Making this film is sort of a National duty,” he insisted.

Madhavan, further, spoke about how Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya did their respective cameo roles for free. "Both didn't ask me a penny. All it took was a phone call. Suriya plays a journalist in the film. He booked his flight ticket and came to Mumbai Mehboob Studios for the shoot. And, SRK didn't ask to pay for his assistants, the caravans and costumes either!"

On pulling off Nambi Narayanan's role, Madhavan said, he put on weight and lost it naturally in a quick time. "I broke my jaw to play the role. The teeth play a vital part in how old or young you look!"

Madhavan revealed he would call Nambi Narayanan in the middle of the night to ask questions, and said he patiently answered all of them. “I am an engineer myself, so I could understand all the science that Nambi Narayanan was speaking about during our interactions. I'm glad I could tell the story of Nambi Narayanan to the world, and this one is perhaps my biggest project to date.”

Madhavan said he shot the film in Tamil, Hindi and English simultaneously in live sync sound (no dubbing), across eight countries. “It's the first time that a rocket engine will be shown in the cinema. The film will be dubbed and released in seven languages, additionally.”

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which premiered recently at Cannes 2022 as part of the Market section, also stars Simran, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra, Misha Ghoshal, Gulshan Grover, Karthik Kumar and Dinesh Prabhakar, in key roles.

Director Ananth Mahadevan was to initially direct this one but opted out due to other commitments. “That left me with just two options; shelve the project or take charge. I chose the latter,” he concluded.

Produced by TriColour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures and 27th Investments, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect has music by Sam CS with whom Madhavan collaborated on Vikram Vedha.