SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

R MADHAVAN'S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT, ROCKETRY: THE NAMBI EFFECT, HAS MET WITH UNIVERSAL ACCLAIM. TANISHA BHATTACHARYA CHATS WITH THE ACTOR-DIRECTOR WHO IS ON CLOUD NINE THESE DAYS.

R Madhavan plays rocket scientist Nambi Narayanan in Rocketry: The Nambi Effect and makes you root for his character from the word go. His Nambi is a god-fearing man as much at home doing rituals as he is tinkering with rockets. You see him being beaten black and blue by the police over a trumped -up charge and you feel the blows. He's socially tarred and feathered over accusations of being a Pakistani spy, and his anguish is palpable. After regaling audiences in front of the camera for more than two decades, Maddy, as Madhavan is fondly known, took the plunge to turn director with Rocketry. It wouldn't have been easy to bring the disgraced scientist's story to life. What's more remarkable is that Madhavan chose to essay the title role himself. Wearing both the director and the lead actor's cap wouldn't have been an easy burden. The dimples in his smile have deepened, never mind the extra amount of grey on his temples. Excerpts from an interview with the talented actor-turnedfilmmaker.

What is it about the story of Nambi Narayanan that made you want to begin your directorial journey with it?