R Madhavan’s passion project Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) bagged the award for the Best Feature Film at the 69th National Film Awards, which was an “exciting and euphoric moment” for the actor. He adds, “We were watching the award announcement and kept our fingers crossed. We had not won anything until the very end and had almost given up hope. But when the last announcement came, I think the rocket just lifted off and we had a blast. I feel completely honoured and appreciated [with this win].”

As the producer, director and co-writer of the film, Madhavan, who also played the lead, says the award “belongs to Padma Bhushan Nambi Narayanan ji (aerospace engineer)”, whose life inspired the film’s screenplay. “Nambi sir feels like he’s 40 years younger. He’s being recognized and is signing autographs for kids. The objective of Team Rocketry has been met,” the 53-year-old shares.

For the actor, bringing the project to fruition was a rewarding experience. “To have control over the audience’s emotion as they watch the film is one of the greatest privileges of being a storyteller and a director,” he says, adding, “There’s a great sense of satisfaction when the audience does what you envisaged. I could see them laugh, get teary-eyed and feel aghast when I wanted them to.”

Ask why he chose to helm the film in all aspects, Madhavan says, “I wanted to produce it as there weren’t many producers willing to bet on a subject like this. There’s an uncanny resemblance between Nambi sir and me, when I grew out and dyed my beard. More importantly, being the producer and director, I also didn’t have to worry about having any hostility [on set] since the actor, director, producer and writer were best of friends.”