Story
A
snow-bearded
former
ISRO
scientist
Nambi
Narayanan
(R
Madhavan)
awaits
at
a
studio
to
get
interviewed
by
superstar
Shah
Rukh
Khan
(King
Khan
himself).
The
crew
at
the
venue
ain't
pleased
to
let
their
weekend
go
the
science
way
while
a
few
chat
about
clicking
selfies
with
SRK.
A
few
minutes
later,
the
cameras
roll
and
the
Bollywood
star
begins
conversing
with
Nambi
Narayanan.
Before
plunging
into
the
painful
chapter
in
Narayanan's
life,
SRK
asks
him
about
the
influence
of
his
guru
Vikram
Sarabhai
in
his
life
which
leaves
the
former
scientist
a
tad
impressed.
The
film
then
hits
the
rewind
button
which
begins
with
Nambi
Narayanan
and
Dr
APJ
Abdul
Kalam
in
the
midst
of
a
scientific
experiment.
Dr
Vikram
Sarabhai
(Rajit
Kapur)
makes
an
entry
as
an
influential
figure
in
Nambi
Narayanan's
life.
In
1969,
the
latter
earns
a
fellowship
at
NASA
to
study
solid
propellants.
However,
the
bright
lad
has
his
eyes
on
the
subject
of
liquid
propulsion
and
even
succeeds
in
convincing
the
Princeton
professor
Luigi
Crocco
to
take
him
under
his
wing.
After
completing
his
masters,
Narayanan
returns
back
to
India.
Rocketry:
The
Nambi
Effect
takes
us
through
the
various
achievements
of
this
genius
of
a
man
before
touching
the
controversial
portion
of
his
life
where
a
fabricated
case
took
a
heavy
toll
both
on
his
personal
and
professional
life.
Direction
While
biopics
on
cricketers
and
actors
often
make
their
way
to
the
big
screen,
it's
brave
and
laudable
of
R
Madhavan
to
chose
a
story
that
needs
to
be
told
as
well
as
heard!
As
a
debutant
director,
he
impresses
on
various
scales.
He
pulls
off
a
masterstroke
by
getting
Shah
Rukh
Khan
on
board
to
break
the
third
wall.
Who
better
than
the
'Badshah
of
Bollywood' to
make
you
reach
out
for
the
tissues!
The
first
half
of
Rocketry:
The
Nambi
Effect
introduces
us
to
Nambi
Narayanan,
the
scientist
and
that's
where
the
film
has
its
share
of
flaws.
The
movie
launches
on
a
shaky
note
as
Madhavan
who
is
also
the
writer
of
the
film,
doesn't
shy
away
from
throwing
heavy
scientific
jargon
and
terms,
which
might
leave
the
audience
perplexed.
The
pace
is
also
a
bit
slow.
Madhavan
tries
to
infuse
humour
in
the
narrative
with
jokes
on
'Indian
husbands'
and
'rockets'.
But
at
times,
the
context
gets
drowned
in
too
many
technicalities.
However,
post
interval,
Rocketry:
The
Nambi
Effect
changes
its
tone
and
takes
you
on
an
emotionally-charged
ride
with
a
few
moments
that
leave
you
numb.
Somewhere
in
the
narrative,
R
Madhavan's
character
Nambi
Narayanan
says,
"Kisi
kutte
ko
marna
ho
toh
afwah
faila
do
ki
woh
paagal
hain,
theek
ussi
tarah
kissi
insaan
ko
barbaad
karna
ho
toh
yeh
elaan
kardo
ki
woh
ek
desh
drohi
hain."
Nothing
gets
more
real
than
this!
Performances
R
Madhavan
slips
into
the
skin
of
former
aerospace
scientist
Nambi
Narayanan
with
ease.
Right
from
his
makeup
to
his
body
language,
the
actor
ticks
all
the
boxes
and
delivers
a
commendable
performance.
Simran
Bagga
who
essays
the
role
of
his
wife
Meena,
shines
in
the
second
half
with
her
finesse
in
handling
emotions
on
screen.
Rajit
Kapur
as
Dr
Vikram
Sarabhai
is
effective
in
his
role.
Among
the
supporting
actors,
Sam
Mohan's
portrayal
of
fellow
scientist
Unni
grabs
your
attention.
Last
but
not
the
least,
your
heart
leaps
with
joy
to
see
Shah
Rukh
Khan
on
the
celluloid
after
a
gap
of
four
years.
As
a
man
who
mirrors
the
conscience
of
the
nation
for
the
wronged
man,
the
superstar
evokes
a
sea
of
emotions.
Technical
Aspects
Rocketry:
The
Nambi
Effect
which
has
been
shot
across
eight
countries,
has
engaging
visuals
and
the
credit
for
that
goes
to
cinematographer
Sirsha
Ray.
Bijith
Bala
handles
the
non-linear
storytelling
ably
with
his
editing
scissors.
Music
'Sri
Venkatesa
Suprabatham'
which
plays
in
the
opening
scene
of
the
film
is
soothing
to
the
ears
and
transports
you
to
a
serene
place.
The
rest
of
the
songs
'Behne
Do'
and
'Aasmaan'
seep
beautifully
in
the
narrative.
Verdict
In
one
of
the
scenes
in
the
film,
on
being
asked
why
no
one
from
ISRO
stepped
forward
in
his
support
when
he
was
going
through
a
tough
time
in
the
jail,
Nambi
Narayanan
quips,
"Scientist
shayad
aise
hi
hote
hai,
rocket
fail
ho
jaaye
toh
react
karna
jaante
hai,
lekin
insaan
fail
ho
jaaye
toh
aise
react
karna
hain,
yeh
nahin
jaate."
Luckily,
Rocketry:
The
Nambi
Effect
succeeds
in
evoking
the
desirable
reaction
due
to
its
poignant
second
half
with
some
touching
performances.