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“The Nambi Effect” is a 2022 Indian movie that tells the true story of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer at the Indian Space Research Organization. He was wrongly accused of espionage but later proven innocent.
The film, written, produced, and directed by R. Madhavan, who also stars in it, traces Narayanan’s journey from his days as a Ph.D. student at Princeton University to his career as a scientist and the false espionage charges against him.
In this article, we’ll delve into the life and career of the remarkable scientist Nambi Narayanan and the espionage case that shook his world.
Who is Nambi Narayanan?
Nambi Narayanan, born on December 12, 1941, is an accomplished Indian aerospace engineer who contributed significantly to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). In 2019, the Government of India honored him with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian awards.
Narayanan played a crucial role in obtaining French technology for the Vikas engine, which powered India’s first PSLV rocket. He held a prominent position as the head of the cryogenics division within ISRO.
He pursued his education at Thiagarjar College of Engineering in Madurai and later at the College of Engineering in Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, he earned a NASA fellowship before furthering his studies at Princeton University.
One of his notable achievements was introducing liquid fuel rocket technology to India during the 1970s. Furthermore, Narayanan has made significant contributions to the development of liquid propellant motors.
Nambi Narayanan | |
Full Name | S. Nambi Narayanan |
Profession | Scientist |
Famous For | Being a retired senior official at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
Born | 12 December 1941 (age 80) |
Birth Place | Kerala, India |
Education | Princeton University (MSE)
Thiagarajar College of Engineering |
Awards | Padma Bhushan |
What is the Nambi Effect?
“Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” made its debut on July 1st, with R Madhavan, known for his role in ‘3 Idiots,’ taking on multiple roles in this biographical drama. Madhavan not only stars as the main character but also serves as the writer, director, and producer.
The movie revolves around the life of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer who received the Padma Bhushan award in 2019. Narayanan’s life took a difficult turn in 1994 when he was falsely accused of espionage and imprisoned. Madhavan’s directorial debut showcases Narayanan’s journey, including his challenges and triumphs.
The film has already gained attention, as it was screened at the prestigious 2022 Cannes Film Festival and has been shown in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, it features cameo appearances by superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised R Madhavan’s directorial debut, describing it as a science-fiction biopic based on the life of Nambi Narayan, an ISRO scientist and the film’s source of inspiration.
Nambi Narayanan Early Life
Nambi Narayanan was born on December 12, 1941, in Nagercoil, a town in the Princely State of Travancore. He grew up in a Tamil family and attended DVD Higher Secondary School in the same town. He later pursued a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering at Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai.
Unfortunately, Nambi lost his father during his time in Madurai, leaving him with two younger sisters to care for. His mother also fell ill after his father’s passing. Nambi married Meena Nambi, and together they have a son who is a businessman and a daughter, Geetha Arunan, who works as a Montessori school teacher in Bangalore.
Nambi Narayanan Career
Narayanan’s journey at ISRO started back in 1966, when he joined as a technical assistant at the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. This was after he completed his studies in mechanical engineering in Madurai.
In 1969, he received a grant from NASA and got accepted into Princeton University. There, he earned his master’s degree in chemical rocket propulsion under the guidance of Professor Luigi Crocco.
Upon returning to India, Narayanan brought back valuable knowledge in liquid propulsion, which was a significant addition at a time when Indian rocketry mainly relied on solid propellants. He even had to educate Sarabhai about this new technology.
In 1974, ISRO made an agreement to exchange Viking engine technology for 100 man-years of engineering work from Societe Europeenne de Propulsion. Narayanan took the lead in a team of forty engineers responsible for acquiring this French technology.
For his exceptional contributions, Narayanan was honored with the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India on January 26, 2019.
Nambi Narayanan ISRO Espionage Case
In November 1994, a scientist named Narayanan faced charges for allegedly sharing confidential information about India’s space program with foreign agents. He was accused of selling secret flight test data for a large sum of money.
The Kerala Police arrested him on espionage charges, and he was later questioned by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Narayanan claimed that he was coerced into making false accusations against top ISRO personnel and that he endured harsh torture.
However, in 1996, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case and informed the court that there was no evidence to support the charges against him. As a result, Narayanan was released from the case, and other defendants, including scientist D Sasikumaran, were also acquitted. In 1998, the Supreme Court cleared Narayanan of all allegations, declaring him not guilty.
Narayanan filed a complaint in 2001 with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging physical and mental abuse. In March of the same year, he was awarded interim damages of Rs 10 lakh.
He retired the following year, and in 2012, the Kerala government dropped charges against police officers who were accused of falsely implicating him. The government also agreed to pay him Rs 1.3 crore to resolve the case.
Although Narayanan withdrew his petition against the Kerala government in the Kerala High Court, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI investigation into the role of police officials in the incident on April 14, 2021. Narayanan has been tirelessly seeking justice for a long time, fearing that such incidents could discourage young people and aspiring scientists.
Nambi Narayanan FAQs
Who is Nambi Narayanan?
Nambi Narayanan is an accomplished Indian aerospace engineer who played a significant role in India's space program, particularly at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was wrongly accused of espionage in 1994 but later proven innocent.
What is The Nambi Effect movie about?
The Nambi Effect is a 2022 Indian biographical drama film that tells the true story of Nambi Narayanan's life. It depicts his journey from a Ph.D. student at Princeton University to his career as a scientist and the false espionage charges he faced.
Who wrote, produced, and directed The Nambi Effect movie?
R. Madhavan, a renowned actor known for his role in 3 Idiots, took on multiple roles in the film. He wrote, produced, directed, and starred as the main character, Nambi Narayanan.
What awards and honors has Nambi Narayanan received?
In 2019, the Government of India honored Nambi Narayanan with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, which is one of the highest civilian awards in the country.
What was the Nambi Narayanan espionage case?
In 1994, Nambi Narayanan was falsely accused of sharing sensitive information and espionage. However, in 1996, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case and found no evidence to support the charges. Narayanan was released, and the Supreme Court cleared him of all allegations in 1998. He later filed a complaint alleging physical and mental abuse, leading to compensation.