Rocketry; Actor Madhavan explains the controversy during the promotion of the movie The Nambi Effect. Indian rockets did not have three engines (solid, liquid and cryogenic). But that is what helped launch Western rockets into Mars orbit. Madhavan said that India had made up the shortfall by using information from the ‘Panchangam’.
Carnatic musician TM Krishna and others tweeted this. TM Krishna said he was disappointed that ISRO did not provide this information on its website. Madhavan’s remarks have drawn harsh criticism and trolls on social media. The actor then came on the scene with an explanation.
I deserve this for calling Almanak ‘Panchang’ in Tamil. That is my ignorance. However, the Mars mission was a record with just two engines, Madhavan said.
The film is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist. Madhavan himself directed the film and will play the lead role. The film also stars Simran, Rajit Kapoor, Ravi Raghevendran, Muraleedhakan, Misha Ghoshal and Karthik Kumar. Shah Rukh Khan and Surya play the guest roles. The film is set to release on July 1.