"Rocketry: The Nambi Effect" Movie Overview: This film delves into the life of Nambi Narayanan, a renowned ISRO scientist, showcasing his significant contributions to India's space endeavors and the personal toll he endures due to unjust accusations stemming from his unwavering dedication to his work and country.
"Rocketry: The Nambi Effect" Movie Critique: The movie kicks off with a breathtaking shot, commencing in space and descending to Earth, introducing us to Nambi's loving family. Actor Madhavan, in his directorial debut, skillfully provides a glimpse into the protagonist's joyous family life with just a few lines of dialogue. Initially carefree, their world takes a dark turn when Nambi is arrested on espionage charges.
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Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
The narrative then shifts to 19 years later, with an elderly Nambi preparing for an interview with the movie star Suriya, who plays himself and brings authenticity to the interview process. Madhavan employs this interview as a framing device to recount Nambi's achievements. We witness the talented and somewhat haughty protégé of Vikram Sarabhai using his ingenuity to study his chosen subject at Princeton, securing technology inexpensively from the Rolls Royce CEO through his charm, leading a covert mission with 52 scientists to acquire technical knowledge from the French, and building the Vikas engine right under their noses. He also strikes a deal with the Russians to bring their technology to India, despite American attempts to undermine his efforts.
Madhavan presents these events in a straightforward manner, guiding us through the developments with clever dialogues (although tinged with a Brahminical flavor), a stirring moment leading up to the intermission, and somewhat unimpressive performances by foreign actors (a recurring issue in Indian films). The disparity between the actors speaking in another language while we hear Tamil voiceovers gives these scenes a dubbed film feel.
However, the second half of the film delves deeper into Nambi's wrongful arrest on charges of betraying the nation and being subjected to harsh treatment by the police, leading to social ostracization. The film focuses more on the emotional aftermath of these accusations on Nambi and his family, transforming "Rocketry" into a sentimental drama. While this seems like a safe choice, given the potential for a more intense thriller, it still offers moving moments. For instance, the scene where Nambi and his wife Meena find themselves stranded in the rain with no assistance, or the powerful moment when they are judged at a wedding, followed by a gratifying twist where they are appreciated at the same event.
As a first-time director, Madhavan impresses with his filmmaking choices, such as the single-shot opening sequence and the use of a different aspect ratio for scenes depicting Nambi in custody, intensifying the feeling of entrapment. Although the supporting cast consists mainly of lesser-known actors, Madhavan extracts commendable performances from them, even though the secondary characters lack depth. Seasoned actors like Simran, who shines in her few scenes, and Karthik Kumar, who delivers a solid performance as an investigating officer realizing Nambi's innocence, contribute to the film's success. Lastly, there's Madhavan the actor, who impeccably portrays the character's physical and emotional journey over the years, from the highs of the Vikas success to the lows following his release from prison, making him the driving force behind this film.
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