2022 · Film
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
R. Madhavan directs and stars as ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan in this biopic about his rocket work and the espionage charges later brought against him.
Reviewed by Movie Mandala, Sun, 18 Oct, 2026
Where to watch
IndiaAs of 18 October 2026, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is streaming in India on JioHotstar with a subscription.
With subscription
The Hindi version, with English audio, is on JioHotstar; Prime Video carries only the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam versions
Checked Sun, 18 Oct, 2026 via Airtel Xstream listing
The story
In a televised interview, aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan looks back on his life. As a young engineer at the Thumba rocket station, he wins a fellowship to study chemical rocket propulsion at Princeton University, then turns down a NASA offer to return and build India's liquid-fuel rocket programme at ISRO. Working with limited money, he leads a team that negotiates access to French engine technology in exchange for their own labour. The interview frames his career and the personal cost his family later pays.
Spoiler-free: only the set-up.
Who it suits
A good fit for viewers who like science, space and real-life stories of public figures. It is a talky, 157-minute drama rated U/A, with references to custodial violence rather than graphic action.
inspiringthought-provokingemotional
Genres:True storiesDrama
Curation to help you choose, not a review.
Background
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, an ISRO scientist who was accused in an espionage case and later exonerated. It is R. Madhavan's debut as writer, producer and director. The film was shot simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil, with scenes set abroad filmed in English. Shah Rukh Khan appears as himself in the Hindi and English versions, and Suriya in the Tamil version.
The English version premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 19 May 2022, and the Hindi and Tamil versions opened in cinemas on 1 July 2022. The Tamil version and South Indian dubs went to Prime Video on 26 July 2022, while the Hindi version streamed on Voot Select from 29 July 2022 and is now on JioHotstar, which absorbed Voot. The film won Best Feature Film at the 69th National Film Awards, presented on 17 October 2023.
The facts
- Language
- Hindi
- Hindi
- Hindi original
- Genre
- Biographical drama
- Runtime
- 157 min
- Certificate
- U/A
- Director
- R. Madhavan
- Cast
- R. Madhavan, Simran, Shah Rukh Khan, Rajit Kapur
Questions people ask
- Where can I watch Rocketry: The Nambi Effect in India?
- As of 18 October 2026, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is streaming in India on JioHotstar with a subscription.
- Is Rocketry: The Nambi Effect in Hindi?
- Yes. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is a Hindi-language film.
- Is Rocketry: The Nambi Effect suitable for children?
- Rocketry: The Nambi Effect has a CBFC U/A certificate, which means children under 12 should watch with a parent or guardian.
- How long is Rocketry: The Nambi Effect?
- Rocketry: The Nambi Effect runs for 2 hours 37 minutes (157 minutes).