Kashif Ur Rehman 
Palais des Festival’s infamous Red Carpet to welcome Cast and Crew of one of India’s Most highly anticipated films at World Premiere during festival’s 75th year celebrations
Eminent Indian actor and filmmaker R Madhavan’s much-awaited directorial debut, biographical drama Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, will receive its World Premiere during the 75th Cannes Film Festival. The Palais des Festival premiere will take place during a prime-time slot at 9pm on Thursday 19th May as part of the celebration of India as the official country of honour at the Cannes Film Market this year – an inaugural tradition that will be continued at future editions. The launch of the festival tradition is particularly significant during its 75th year, coinciding with 75 years of Indian independence. India’s Ministry of Culture has officially selected Rocketry: The Nambi Effect for its Red Carpet World Premiere at the prestigious venue.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect has been shot simultaneously in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil and English, with the English version premiering at the prestigious, international film festival. Its theatrical release, scheduled for 1stJuly, will also feature Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada versions. R Madhavan plays the role of the eponymous, Indian scientist, Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer, and has also directed, produced and written the film.
Staged on a mammoth scale, the film has been shot in India, France, Canada, Georgia, Serbia and Russia. It features an ensemble star cast comprising acclaimed, international actors Phyllis Logan, Vincent Riotta and Ron Donachiealongside R Madhavan, Simran, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra, Misha Ghoshal, Gulshan Grover, Karthik Kumar and Dinesh Prabhakar, with special appearances from superstars, Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya.
Tracing the life of Narayanan, renowned for developing the Vikas Engine – one of the most efficient, liquid fuel engines in the world today that continues to be a workhorse at The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in almost every launch with the unique distinction of never having failed – the former ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer was inevitably embroiled in a spy scandal. The biographical drama will unveil the truth behind the mystery as it unravels in an interview by celebrated superstar of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan (in English and Hindi) and Suriya Sivakumar (in Tamil) on a TV programme.
Speaking about Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’s World Premiere during Cannes Film Festival, R Madhavan says, “I’m in a daze! I just started by wanting to tell the story of Nambi Narayanan and I’m unable to believe all that’s happening. With God’s grace, we’ve waited long and I’m grateful and thrilled to watch all good things happening for the film. As a debut director, my nervousness is making it difficult for me to breathe and all I hope is to make India proud!”
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is produced by TriColour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures and 27th Investments. The film is being distributed by UFO Moviez in India, with Red Giants distributing in the South, and distributed internationally by Yash Raj Films and Phars Film Co.
Watch the English language Rocketry: The Nambi Effect trailer here: