R. Madhavan: 'Rocketry and the story of Nambi Narayanan was a passion project'

The Tanu Weds Manu star is also clear that he wanted to focus on Padma Bhushan Nambi Narayanan's achievements, more than the controversy he was embroiled in. Narayanan was the key person involved in developing the Vikas engine that was used in India’s first polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), and he headed the cryogenics division at ISRO.

In 1994, Narayanan was charged with espionage. In 1998, the apex court declared him not-guilty. But the tag of being a traitor stuck and Narayanan felt he wasn’t supported by ISRO during this period and he retired in 2001.

Was Narayanan confident that Madhavan could pull off playing him on screen and tell  the real story? “Yes, Nambi Narayanan did have reservations about this and whether as an actor I could understand the achievements of a rocket scientist and his own work,” says Madhavan. "But I didn’t want to make a movie about the case, I wanted to make a movie about his achievements. He was constantly judging me where I knew a little bit of physics to understand what rocket science was about and obviously being technologically and engineering-inclined I think I knew enough for him to say that I wish you were in my team by the end of the day."

Interestingly, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Tamil film super star Suriya have made brief appearances in the film. “When Shah Rukh found out I was making this film, he told me he wanted to be a part of ‘Rocketry’ and I felt he was being polite and I thanked him. But he actually meant it and he didn’t charge a penny for it. I think it's more out of respect for Nambi Narayanan that he wanted to be a part of this film,” he smiles. Similarly, Suriya too shot for the film without taking any remuneration and Madhavan says he is blessed to have such well-wishers in the industry.

The actor is also quick to point out that he hasn’t even directed a film on an iPhone and jumping into directing a biopic came with its own set of challenges. Madhavan is happy with Rocketry, but thinks it’s time to focus on acting after this. “I am now happy to just act and leave the directing to others. My wife told me that if I take up another film, she’ll chuck me out of the house,” he laughs.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect has been appreciated wherever it has been screened so far. So, what was the most challenging aspect for Madhavan in this film – was it as a scriptwriter, as a director or as an actor? “It was as a scriptwriter. I had to understand the rocket technology that Nambi Narayanan had created. If you are doing the biopic of a cricketer or writer or singer, you can explain that. But how do you explain the achievements of a rocket scientist – that too a genius? I had to understand the engine and show it in a manner that scientists wouldn’t cringe and at the same time, the common man would understand what he had made. That was the biggest challenge as a writer,” Madhavan explains.

The movie has been shot simultaneously in English, Tamil and Hindi, and has been dubbed in various other languages. Narayanan has seen the film and Madhavan has got his blessings, which he is thrilled about. “Without flattering myself – he said thank you for giving me the desire to live long enough to watch this film,” says Madhavan.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect also stars Simran, Ravi Raghavendra, Rajit Kapur, and Misha Ghoshal, among others, and is produced by Madhavan along with Varghese Moolan and Vijay Moolan.

This interview was first published in Firstpost