Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) - full transcript

"O Rama, son of Kausalya"

"The sun is about to rise
in the eastern skies"

"Please wake up in our hearts anew"

"So we can perform our daily duties due
as divine rituals unto You"

"Wake up within us, o' Govinda
One whose flag has an emblem of Garuda"

"Cast aside your sleep to bestow Your Grace
and solace as the universal force"

[invocation to Lord Vishnu at dawn]

"O' Lord of the universe
One with lotus shaped eyes"

"Lord's body blended from midnight blue
to His consort Lakshmi's vermillion hue"

"Lord of the Venkatam hills
will forgive our trespasses"

"Praise be to the Lord of Venkata Mountain"



"He who is the Lord of all Gods
4 faces, 6 faces and 5 faces as avatars"

"You are the crown jewel
Protector and Savior of all"

"O' Lord, attached immensely
by bonds of love of your devotee"

"With your Grace and Divinity
I beseech you to protect me"

[Prayer to Lord Vishnu]

We should learn how to
be responsible only from you, ma!

I am expected to be a good mother,
great wife and dutiful daughter-in-law.

But none of you will lift
your little finger for me

3 hours since I woke up
No time for even a sip of water.

One of you could have
offered me coffee, right?

Subtle hint from your mother
you should've got coffee from home!

My dear Einstein husband,
I got that.

Amma, you know how much
I missed your lamenting sessions.

Divert your anger on my sari
and burn a big hole



I'll have a good excuse then
not to turn up for the wedding today.

Give me your hand.

- Show me your bangles
- Amma!

I'll pickle you to pieces

I'm so patient only because
my son-in-law is here

I've promised the bride's family
100% attendance from our side.

If you ditch me today, that's it

I won't give a damn for our family dignity
and dance like a woman possessed, mind you!

- You never know, she may do it.
- Amma, please

I'll leave immediately
after my lecture.

- Promise.
- Wait at the college bus stop

I'll pick you up at 12
We must be home by 2:00 p.m.

'Or else our imp of a daughter
will bring the roof down'

Sir...?

My dear son... tea!

Do you have an iota of responsibility?

Try to be part of this family at least once.

This is one of our close relative's wedding
At least be punctual for the wedding feast!

Every single member here
expects a special invitation.

[Holy chant]

Isn't it ages since we attended
any function as a family together?

My relatives have forgotten
the very fact I am married.

As if he remembers he is married either!

He is busy night and day
romancing with his rockets.

Fine, I am destined to
be wedded to a scientist.

My children are a few notches worse.

Why did you leave out your son-in-law?

Sometimes I wonder if he is
a rocket scientist or an astrologer!

He shifts your granddaughter from our bed
and sleeps with this almanac instead of me.

'Finished your prayers?'

Does it mean whoever works in NASA
isn't bothered about our nation?

If you were at NASA,
by now we would be

living in the lap of luxury,
bungalow, fancy car, beefy body guar.

Who is saying 'no'?

Your Elizabeth is still
the headhunter at NASA!

Just nod your head
we can leave tomorrow

I didn't mean it like that.

Okay, forget all these creature comforts.

We have to attend
a family wedding today.

Can't you fulfil my desire at least 1 day?

Is that so?
What kind of desire?

Tell me clearly what desires
you want me to fulfil?

- Go on.
- Geetha.

Bring back your imp's cradle here.

- Why?
- I think it may come in handy!

Shankar, I'll spank you.

Hey! You are saying I can still
launch rockets from home?

Go ahead, but those rockets
will only be firing blanks!

Shame on all of you, yuck!

I'm going to the temple.

Don't jinx it! How many times
I've told you to say 'I will be back'?

Today is an important day
for you, right?

Take care
See you soon

I'm going only to the temple nearby
You think I'm off to Mars or what?

Mars is sure to have less pot holes
than the roads in Trivandrum!

Uncle, today I intend seeing
the KVD-1 engines assembly.

Arun, haven't I told you it's inauspicious
to call a person when he is stepping out?

That too, a special day for him.

[Holy chant]

'Bless Nambi Na ray an an and his family'

'Navakeralam'

'Nambi Na ray an an sold
the secret of rocket for millions'

Hey Geetha!

'Ten'

'Nine'

'Eight'

'Seven'

'Six'

'Five'

'Four'

'Three'

'Two'

'One'

'India on its very 1st mission to Mars
put into orbit a satellite'

'With a price tag less than it costs
to make a Sci-Fi movie in Hollywood'

'Credit to a large extent for
this recent spectacular achievement'

'goes to ex-ISRO scientist'

'Mr Nambi Na ray an an'

'This special interview
is anchored by none other than'

'Star extraordinaire of Tamil cinema
True to his name, shining like the sun'

'Our most favorite hero Mr Suriya'

Why the hell shoot on a Friday night
when I would rather be partying?

Looking at this 'fossil', I can forget
returning to Chennai tonight.

Hey!

Large or small?

Even before the show?

You saw that fogey's beaming face?
We will still be here when the sun rises!

Aiyo! Make it a large then.

'I was planning to show off
in front of my friends'

'Looks like he won't let me
attend my reunion'

'I will sneak in and pretend
to touch up Suriya sir's face'

'Quickly click a snap
without anyone's knowledge'

'What the hell are you doing, guys?'

'I had to beg and beseech'

'To get Suriya from his shoot
in Trivandrum, for this interview'

'If you ask him for a selfie'

making an ass of yourself
and humiliating me, I'll trample you.

'Try to finish the shoot and send him
back to his shoot at the earliest'

Can we begin?

Sir

2 seconds.

Quickly.

Over.

Sorry?

Your 2 seconds are over.

Sorry, sir.

You will know the value of a second
much more than any of us.

We'll start immediately.

Keep the tight close only on Suriya sir.

The arrangements are excellent
I hope all this is worth the effort.

'This old man is torturing us'

Sorry, sir
Sorry... sorry.

'Please, sir
Sorry... sorry'

Forgive me for asking, sir.

If you think this interview
is such a futile exercise.

Why should we do this?

Why did you come here?

Why did I come?

No one else in our country should
go through what I had to endure.

The people responsible for this crime
should be brought to justice.

This country may have
given up on the likes of me.

'But we cannot be like that, Mr Suriya'

Because I still believe
in the goodness of our people.

And the integrity of this nation.

That's why I'm here.

We share the same faith
and trust in you.

Our immense respect for you
has brought us here tonight.

Roll it... roll it.

Your guru.

Your mentor

I've heard of Vikram Sarabhai's
unshakable faith in you and your work.

So can we start this interview
from your interaction with him?

Wow!

Not reducing my entire life
to that spy case and scandal.

Thank you for doing
the due diligence on me.

'You are right'

Vikram Sarabhai.

He was more than a mentor
He was like a father to me.

And as his spoilt, adamant son
I used to enjoy going wild in ISRO

[indistinct muttering]

Hey quiet!

Nambi, please.

Coming 1 day before the test and claim
the experiment isn't working is foolishness.

If this can ignite here, for sure it will
ignite in the upper atmosphere also.

Kalam, nothing will change
just by you staring at it.

Let's call it off.

'Call it off?'

Is this some dance drama?

Start and stop according
to our whims and fancies

6 nations are jointly observing us.

Some American scientist said something.

You concur and now
chew my brains on it?

Just reset it.

Pump.

Little more mixture please.

Carbon connectors.

Great! Thank you.

Ignite.

Five.

'Four'

'Three'

'Two'

'One'

Kalaam!

Look! It worked.

It didn't work, sir.

The vacuum valve was closed.

Normal atmospheric pressure
inside the bell jar.

Increase the volume!

- Your nose is bleeding
- Hey!

Give me a heads up
so I don't suffer a heart attack!

So 'Deepavali', the festival of lights
in our office once more, eh?

Sir, this morning will be special
with the kind words he blessed us with.

Nambi, you seem to have had
your usual breakfast of 'pongal' and 'vada'

With an extra dose
of temerity today?

Sir, you are only paying for the brilliance.

Temerity comes free!

I know that only too well.

As long as you are here
there's no shortage of temerity!

But if you had shown
even a glimpse of brilliance.

By now one of you would have
been in the Ivy League.

Our institution has even offered to
cover all expenses magnanimously.

The extent of your magnanimity
and magnitude of our talent

will be known
when the time comes.

Dear Lord, wonder when that right time is.

Only You know!

Sir, I know it too.

You can see for yourself.

What's that?

So the rumors are true?

'Where Miss Doubt exists
Truth is her shadow', sir.

The proof is in your hands
Read the letter.

Nambi.

Do you realize what an incredible honor
this is to our institution and our nation?

If it was any other student, by now
he would be floating on air.

But this is no big thing
for Mr Nambi, right?

I don't believe doing anything
in small measures, sir.

'Why should Nambi go
to Princeton now, sir?'

'I need this man here, sir'

But I just don't understand
his obsession with liquid propulsion, sir.

He is fixing selling price of ghee
before buying the cow!

We have barely understood solids
He is jumping to liquids too soon.

Sir, let's for a moment forget
when, where and if I'm going anywhere.

'Just answer this question'

What are we trying
to achieve here?

What is our current
and end game?

Where is ISRO headed?

Nambi, don't start your sermo

I'm not sermonizing, Kalam

I'm merely stating facts
Just hear me out.

Developing solid first
then liquids and finally cryogenic.

Who stipulated this protocol, sir?

We have no choice but treat
these 3 stages as mutually exclusive.

Any rocket we build
that does not orbit in Space

is just a firecracker
on 'Deepavali' night.

We need to use these rockets
to launch satellites commercially, sir.

In the years to come, we should also
have a share in this trillion dollar market.

That's the seat of
prestige and power.

Then we never again have to beg
any nation for resources and funds.

'That should be our only goal'

ISRO should follow that aim, sir.

Because as long as I am here

I will never allow India even in rocketry
to crawl at the pace of a bullock cart.

What, Kalam?

Quite a full-fledged sermon actually!

But what he says makes sense, right?

Nambi

I want to clarify a doubt.

You have phenomenal faith in liquid fuels.

Is it as promising as
you make it out to be?

Isn't the application quite limited?

I knew you would ask me this.

Nambi, no... no.

According to James,
All World Missile & Rocket Catalog.

Almost 19 missiles have already
been powered by liquid fuel.

'Now that you have
mentioned missiles to him'

'Now he won't listen
to a single word of mine'

Fine, sir.

Guess I have nothing left to say.

Nambi, congratulations.

ISRO's 1st ever export to the Ivy League!

All the best.

Nambi, tell me.

You've been given admission into solids.

How will you switch to liquids?

Just leave that to me, sir.

'Professor Luigi Crocco'

'In the field of theoretical aerodynamics
and rocket propulsion, a revered name'

'His was the best of the brains
behind the Apollo launches'

'If I could just get to do
my thesis under him'

'Definitely we can achieve
our liquid propulsion dreams'

'Come hell, hail or brimstone
I will make this dream come true'

Fluid flows.

Now... this is what
we will be discussing today.

So this behavioral pattern
inside the shock tube is due to

the upstream flow of fluids.

Downstream, sir.

Excuse me.

Sir, this behavioral pattern
is only possible

when the fluid is flowing
downstream in the shock tube.

Great!

Now we and Ascher Shapiro
have to learn from an Indian rookie.

And your name is...?

Sir, my name is Nambi Na ray an an.

So, Nambi.

Let's say you are right.

I am only human.

I can make mistakes.

But are you saying Ascher Shapiro's
textbook is inaccurate?

Yes, sir, it's inaccurate.

Oh! Well, then.

Why don't you write to Ascher Shapiro?

Tell him to correct it.

According to YOU.

He will be very glad
to hear from you, Numbu.

Okay, sir.

'Maybe I'll just do that'

Thank you for your suggestion!

What's so funny?

Hey Neil.

- Hey Neil!
- Sit down, sit down.

- How is Janet doing?
- She's fine, thank you for asking.

- Good.
- Neil, this is Nambi.

'A freak who wants to study liquids
under Professor Crocco'

And I would like you
to meet another freak

who put 3000 tons of
explosives under his ass.

Just so he would go
take a piss on the moon!

Sir, it's such an honor to meet you.

Oh! It's an honor to meet you too, Nambi.

By the way, Nambi, the old man has
stopped taking any new students.

He's right.

Professor Crocco rarely comes
to the campus anymore.

His wife is really sick
She is bed-ridden actually.

Nambi, it's one thing to be under Crocco.

It's a whole new deal
getting him to approve your thesis.

Take a look at my illustrious friend here.

A celebrated student of Crocco's
for 8 years and counting

'who is as cuckoo as Crocco!'

Thank you, you jerk!

Now I need another frigging beer

I'll help you.

Excuse me.

One more, my friend.

I need to go pee.

You were quite a hero today at the campus.

Did you really end up writing to Shapiro?

Yeah, I actually wrote to him.

My name is Yuri

I am an exchange student
from Russia, Aviation Sciences.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, Yuri

I'm Nambi.

I am into solid fuels as you know,
but I want to shift to liquids.

Oh! Really?

Well, if you need any help
just let me know

I will do that.

I actually do.

Do you know where Professor Crocco lives?

[door bell rings]

[door bell rings]

I'M NOT HOME!

There.

Lovely cup of tea.

Just a little bit
It's good for you.

Just to wet your lips.

Okay... good girl.

No?

Good morning, sir
My name is Nambi Na ray an an

I'm from India

I'm here on a full scholarship
for the solid fuel program.

But I want to study desperately
liquid fuels under you.

Sir, I've read all your papers.

Especially the theory
on the relation between.

Thermodynamics and fluid kinematics.

What a lovely piece of work, sir.

Sir, I've sent you many applications.

But I can understand
why you didn't reply to me.

Are you serious?

How did you find me?
Who gave you my address?

A Russian... Yuri.

You are wasting your time
My hands are full.

What you're asking for is impossible.

Goodbye!

Sir, you know.

For us Indians who have to walk for
2 km to get 3 liters of drinking water.

And use it between
the two of us for 3 days!

'Nothing is quite impossible'

What are you doing?

Did you just follow me back in?

Look at you! You brought
the mud into the house.

Oh great! Then just another
clean-up job for me

- I don't believe it.
- I'm sorry, sir.

I don't know who you are
but you have some nerve!

I really don't have the time.

You ought to know
I've quit going to the campus.

And stopped taking on students.

My life is all about her now, okay?

Alright, my darling.

Have some breakfast, yes?

'Let's do it'

Sir, I totally understand and
appreciate what you are saying.

But please, may I make a suggestion?

Sir, you don't have to
leave the house at all.

I will take care of
all your household duties

Indians are very good at that, sir.

Sir, I'll do your shopping for you
I'll buy your provisions for you

I will take care of the garden and
wash the utensils and the clothes.

And on top of that
I'll clean the house.

You know that way you'll get
some quality time with ma'am and.

In your spare time you could
help me with my thesis, sir.

It's a win-win for both of us.

And I make the world's best omelets!

Nambi, how did it go
with Professor Crocco?

- Are you on?
- I am so on!

That's great!

By the way, can you help me
with these stability configurations?

Sure, no problem.

But I need something in return.

Can you teach me
how to make an omelet?!

Nambi, I'll get Ken and Beth
to take you through

at the liquid test facility
to configure the parameters.

Okay, sir.

'Dear Mr Nambi Na ray an an'

Thank you very much for your letter.

You are the first one to point out
the printing and syntax error in my theorem.

In this version of the book

I am surprised that it went unnoticed
by the professors thus far!

But all the same
I assure you it will be corrected.

Thank you for pointing it out
and I wish you all the very best.

In your future endeavors.

Mr... Numbu!

From Ascher Shapiro.

You have a lovely day, sir.

Hey, sleeping beauty!

Hi!

Haven't seen you guys for a while.

All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy.

Who is Jack?

Are you serious?

You know when you laugh
you remind me of my son.

His eyes also start smiling
before his face does.

Exactly like yours

I have no idea you are married.

Yes, you see in India it's very difficult
to have a son without a wife!

'Of course'

I think it is incredible
what these guys have achieved.

Forget the moon! At this rate
we will be orbiting Pluto in no time

I never thought a specific impulse
of 435 was even possible.

- Correct.
- The Russians are done for!

All they can do now is drown
in their own fine vodka.

Right, guys, we are going to split now.

- See you later at the bar.
- Okay, bye.

What happened to you?

They were just joking.

Yankee dickheads!

Getting frisky over 435.

Poor bastards are going
to lose their hard-on

when they come to know
about the KVD-1 engines

252 of them.

With the specific impulse
of 4 fucking 61!

Just lying there in our facility.

As far as interplanetary
travel is concerned

Americans have no clue
what's in store for them.

Seriously?

A specific impulse of 461?

You're kidding, right?

Right.

Forget I said anything.

Hey, Yuri

Yuri

Yuri, listen.

Can I ask you something?

Are you really
just an exchange student?

Are you here only for Avionics?

[Russian] Yesli ya skazhu

Ty umresh'

I ya umru.

What does that mean?

If I tell you.

You will die.

And I will die!

Let's get some coffee, Nambi.

So she's saying that.

You can go back to the University.

She's done with you, she is
swapping you for an Indian husband!

Don't push it.

Sicilians are very jealous people.

In the 4 years since her stroke.

She has never smiled.

Well! You are welcome.

But you know,
we Indian husbands are like that.

We always make our woman smile.

You know about our population, right?

Meena...?

Aiyo! Sorry, I fell asleep.

- Where are you going?
- Did you just come in or going out?

Shall I make coffee for you or.

How is Shankar?

Do you remember you have a son?

Of course I do and
I remember a lot more.

How was your flight?

Our very first imaginary story!

'Isn't this Superman animated cartoon'

'A really thrilling clash?'

Sir... sir...?

What if we introduce
a reverse shock wave

into the active combustion chamber
of the engine to determine instability?

'Sir, this can help us fix'

'the stability problem
in the Moon Rover as well'

'What do you think?'

'So what we do is'

We introduce a controlled instability in
the active combustion chamber of the engine.

'In the form of a reverse shock wave'

'And observe that wave
before instability sets in'

- Right.
- Let me explain how that is done.

We have the pressure inside the active
combustion chamber which is P1.

We separate that with another chamber.

With an inert inactive gas
and put that as P2

'which is at a slightly higher pressure
than the active combustion chamber'

And we separate
the 2 chambers with a membrane.

'Now... when you start ignition'

The flames will come,
burn the membrane.

And therefore the higher pressure from P2

'will move into the active
combustion chamber'

'If the engine becomes unstable'

'Then we know that the stability margin'

'is between P1 and P2'

'But if the engine can handle that'

'We know that we have to
increase the pressure in P2'

'And keep doing that
till instability sets in'

Brilliant! But that would be
an insane amount of variables.

Insane, yes.

But impossible, no.

'And it's much better than blowing up
actual engines before we get it right'

'Impressive!'

'Now this is a breach of rules'

You are supposed to be here for 3 years
And you've only done 10 months.

Sorry, I can't let you go.

Here.

My dear, I have some bad news.

You've just lost your Indian husband!

And we, our domestic help.

O' Mother Goddess!

Go.

I'm going to miss you so much.

You take care of yourself, okay?

Thank you.

'This is Crocco'

Get me Eugene Scott.

There you are.

'This ought to be
a 'dream come true' for you'

'I suppose you must be very good'

Because it is not that often
Crocco recommends a student!

Thank you so much.

And it's such a pleasure
to meet you, Mr Scott.

But I must tell you,
Mr Nambi Na ray an an.

That you are in for some
real hard work and dedication.

Your commit has to be absolute.

- Yes, sir.
- Come.

- Everyone has been so excited.
- I'm sure.

This is a very interesting phase
of our exploration.

Let me introduce you to someone.

A brilliant mind and
a fellow American, mind you

Barry, this is Nambi
Nambi, this is Barry.

- Hello.
- Barry Amaldev.

All the best
Barry, take over

- I'll see you around here.
- Okay, bye.

I knew you were coming in today.

And I figured you must be missing
your filter coffee from back home!

- So much!
- I made you some.

Well, my wife made you some.

Enjoy.

Oh my god!

'Amme Bhagavati'

This is reminding me of home so much.

- I bet it does.
- Yeah.

You know, getting a NASA fellowship
in 3 months is pretty big by itself.

- Thank you
- On top of that

I have never heard Professor Crocco
ever recommending a student to work here.

You must be the real deal, Nambi!

Well, it's quite the privilege
and as is this coffee.

But you know the... fellowship money helps

I am sure it does.

It's going to be a privilege
to work with you, Nambi.

For a man with talents like yours
you are in the right place.

Thank you so much.

'NASA's offer is too good to be true'

Isn't it a fantastic deal?

At least now do you realize
your husband's true worth?

The salary my father, maternal uncle,
paternal uncle, my whole family

can earn in 5 years.

Will you get in just 1 year?

No.

In 1 month!

Whaaat?!

What do you say?

Want to settle down here?

Shall I accept NASA's offer?

If you can't notice a cow in broad daylight
what is the use of being able to see?

How can you lose
such a golden opportunity.

'Hey Nambi'

'Hi Meena'

Hi Elizabeth, still with the solids?

Yeah, but I can't wait
to get into liquids with you!

Let's go back to India.

- Huh?
- Yes.

We can't burst crackers here
to celebrate 'Deepavali'

Or decorate our porch with 'rangoli'
for 'Pongal', India is any day better.

Is that so? Look at me and
tell me that's the only reason.

- Look into my eyes.
- Let's go back.

You mean it?
Why this change of mind?

- Tell me... real reason.
- Let's go back to India.

'Bastards!'

They are trying to poach
my best scientist again.

Nambi is very special to us, Satish.

You are right, sir.

We can't afford to lose him
for any reason whatsoever.

I think I should speak to him.

Call him.

- 'Hello...?'
- I truly understand, Nambi.

This is a lucrative offer way beyond
the imagination of any Indian scientist.

This is NASA, Mr Nambi.

The most coveted playground
for any scientist worth his salt

I trust you understand
what an honor this is!

It's true.

Also.

Compared to the salary
they are willing to pay you.

What we are offering is peanuts

I understand.

And doesn't stop
with a generous pay check.

There's a high end vehicle.

Housing allowance and an annual
paid vacation for you and the family.

Nambi.

You are an extraordinary scientist.

No doubt whatsoever.

And I respect that.

So whatever decision you take
I will accept it wholeheartedly.

Presidential offer would
be the final formality.

And you should have it in 2 days.

'Nobody ever refuses
the President, Mr Nambi'

'Take your time'

I know.

It's a tough call.

Tough... my foot!

I have only one answer to
the question, 'ISRO or NASA?'

He said I couldn't refuse
the Presidential offer.

So I just ended up refusing him!

Welcome back, my blue-eyed Princetonian.

'Nambi'

I insist you continue your research
in liquid fuel propulsion.

Go around the world to
all the liquid test facilities.

And study their progress.

'And stay updated'

Only then, when we get
the required funds

we don't have to be digging for data.

I agree but

NASA is out of question now

Russians and Chinese won't allow
even a fly into their facility.

That leaves Europe.

What is sir waiting for?

'I'm so glad to see you, Nambi'

'I feel like I have a little bit
of India here with me'

'Yeah, there was one night in Bombay'

'I was relishing
the local food on the beach'

'Good on the eyes
Great on the palate'

By the end of the night, I didn't know
from which end I was whistling louder.

And when I was a colonel in the city,
I got to meet Jamshed Tata

I mean what a visionary that man was!

That man gave India
her 1st computer center

3 years ago.

I'm so impressed
that you know about all this.

Most people in India are not aware!

'It was our mistake, back then'

'Breaking you up into India, Pakistan'

What do you know?
The Domino effect goes on.

Now you've got Bangladesh.

Oh! I'm... I'm sorry.

Am I hogging the conversation?

Yes, my love, you are.

Sorry, India does that to him!

Oh! There's no need
for apologies, Mrs Cleaver

I think it's quite a compliment.

You are very sweet, sir.

Okay.

Okay then, enough... enough about me.

Why are you interested in
the Rolls Royce hydraulic systems?

Sir, India is at a very nascent stage
of rocketry and we can't afford

the kind of technology we need.

'We heard so much about
your equipment and the plant'

'At the Rolls Royce hydraulic factory
I just had to see it for myself'

'Sir, I was in France
just a month ago'

'And we were just content
reading about the hydraulic systems'

'And now, I'm here'

'Seeing the testing of fluids with
such complex system of gauges'

'This is incredible!'

As is this food
Thank you so much for it.

You are very kind.

We really wish you could
have stayed for New Year.

Food and extra day's stay are luxuries
that ISRO can ill-afford right now.

So how long was your tenure in India?

Well, it was long enough

for the imperialist guilt to
weigh heavy upon my heart!

I've often wished there was
something I could do

in my own small way to make amends!

I don't know about then.

But I do know of a way now.

Colonel Cleaver.

It's a well-known fact

that European rocketry
program is on a slow burn.

Because the U.S is undertaking
all your rocketry responsibilities.

Which also means that the hydraulic plant
and all the equipment I saw today

will all be rendered
useless and dysfunctional.

Because you'll have to move the plant.

And what a tragedy that will be!

But what is the setback for you

could transcend 10 years
of research for us in India.

So I want to make an outrageous request.

Give us the hydraulic plant
and all the equipment.

'I know as a nation'

We can't afford
to pay you a dime.

But we will forever be indebted to you!

You do know what you are asking for is

400 million pounds
worth of equipment.

Even as I said it, I realized
how ridiculous I sounded

I'm so sorry.

Please forget I asked.

On the other hand, darling.

He isn't asking for the Kohinoor!

Oh!

The lights are out.

Come.

You will enjoy this.

Excuse me.

This is so spectacular

I've never seen something like this.

It is indeed an outrageous request.

I'm surprised you had
the audacity to ask.

Though it's not a remotely
worthy compensation, Nambi.

It will be an honor to give you
all the equipment for free.

As is in with my power to grant.

Now what's not within my power is
bearing the cost of shipping it to India.

Much though I would like to oblige.

You must make those arrangements.

My dear boy.

I don't know what to say.

This is spectacular
This is wonderful news.

Oh! Save it, Nambi.

It was probably built
from money procured from India!

You know this is such wonderful news

I can't wait to tell Vikram sir about it.

Why don't you give him a call?
Give the old man a ring right now

I think it's very late at night there.

I'm leaving by the early morning flight

I would like to see his face in person
when I tell him this wonderful news.

But thank you so much.

'Thank you'

£400 million worth of equipment for free?!

I can't believe it, man.

- It's amazing!
- Sir.

I don't believe doing anything
in small measures!

On a serious note, Nambi.

You know, your obsession,
your passion, perseverance.

Your anger, your impatience may
one day dangle like a sword of Damocles!

But these very same qualities
will place a crown over your head too.

Whatever happens
don't ever relinquish your vision

I'll be there for you
every step of the way.

'Prominent Indian scientist
Dr Vikram A Sarabhai'

'Chairman of Indian Space
Research Organization'

'As well as the Atomic Energy body
was found dead at Kovalam Palace'

'A Govt tourist hotel
in the Southern state of Kerala'

'He was 52 years old'

'Dr Sarabhai'

'Son of a textile millionaire
and friend of the'

'Flight 147 from London to Trivandrum
will be landing in 25 minutes'

'Cabin crew, please prepare for arrival'

Sarabhai's death was not only
a setback for Indian Space Research.

It must have entrapped you
in a huge void too.

You stood forlorn, losing your mentor.

To find another cheerleader
like Sarabhai to trust you blindfolded.

To support your crazy, lofty dreams.

It would have been really tough
to find a replacement in ISRO.

Mr Satish Dhawan.

Vowed to support you
in every which way.

He promised Sarabhai.

Did he keep up his word?

After Vikram Sarabhai's demise.

I could no longer be the privileged one
at ISRO, showing off my temerity.

I found a good friend
and guide in Satish sir.

But even that was
a tiring relationship.

Because I had decided to build
a liquid fuel engine on my own.

His lack of resources and my impatience
proved to be an explosive combination.

'What have you done
for the impurities in the water?'

- We've installed a filter.
- Guys, this is muddy water.

The mud will get deposited in the filter.

If that happens?

- As time progresses.
- Calibration will keep varying.

'Five-four-three'

- This is about to explode.
- 'Two-one'

Stop it.

'Nambi, would you
like a cup of tea?'

Looks like only this hot tea
listens to your ideas!

Sir, is everyone jobless
in the fabrication department?

All they do is flash their teeth!

Get lost, man!

Sir, if you cannot provide me
with effective and decent resources.

Please accept my resignation
because I cannot work like this.

- Calm down, Nambi, relax.
- How can I relax, sir?

Everybody is blaming me for
the failure of the liquid fuel engine.

But the truth of the matter is
I failed because of you!

Are you done?

I know you are being 'drama king'
because of a bee in your bonnet.

Be upfront about what you want to say.

Sir, the world is making
60-70 tonne engines.

We are crawling on the ground
with 600 kg toy cars!

It isn't rocketry, sir
This is puppetry.

Nambi, beggars can't throw banquets!

Tell me what we can do
with the limited budget in our hands.

Our budget may be strained
Is there any constraint on our brains?

Time to sell our brilliant minds
to convert loss into gain.

What are you trying to say?

Sir.

For their Ariane rockets, SEP in France
is developing Viking, a liquid fuel engine.

It's a mega project that requires
100s of scientists and man years.

We offer them our mental manpower.

And in the process, first hand pick up
their technology for liquid fuel engines.

It's a barter.

But are the French our uncles
or brothers-in-law to agree to this?

Sir, it's okay if they don't agree
But what if they do?

If they agree, am I an idiot
to stand in the way?

You have my hearty blessings.

In that case, sir, please sign
your blessings on this contract

I've already spoken to the French.

We have a deal.

But this is a bloody good deal!

So what else do you need?

Learn French and be willing to live
in France with their families for 3 years

52 scientists who are prepared
to put their nose to the grindstone

'8 months to learn French?'

'This is not rocket science'

Nambi, it took me 8 years to learn English!

I like that!

Good... now.

How do you say
'Good morning' in French?

Bonjour.

Correct.

If any of us speaks a word
of French while we are in France.

Then we will all lose our jobs.

And be sent back to India
with a hole in our pocket!

How would you say this in French?

That's right.

When we are in France.

Zip your lips.

Keep only your eyes and ears open.

No one should know that we know French.

'Gentlemen'

There is more to this mission
than meets the eye.

It may seem ordinary
but we have a lot to achieve

I hope all of you have read
the project report.

And memorized the objectives.

'In order to build
our own liquid engine'

'First we need to understand
the intricacies of their engine'

While in France.

We will do our best to rotate
everyone of you in all the departments.

'Gentlemen'

'Vernon is a very small town in France
where everybody knows everybody'

'We have to be very careful'

'We already have our people
in these departments'

Tank gauges, pressurization systems.

Control elements
Thrust chamber assembly.

But we need to fill
our people into regulators.

Stage systems.

Gimbal actuator systems and
mainly command module systems.

We need to figure out how to
turn these reds into greens.

Nambi, many tests are being
aborted half way through.

[Malayalam] We don't know whether
it is because of the pressure variation.

Or if it is the malfunction of
the pressure gauging senses.

Nambi, we need the analysis and end data of
these test failures to find out the reason.

And there's only one place
where we can find all of this.

- R-C-D
- Bloody deal!

RCD is one place they don't even
let us walk past, forget about getting in

I don't know how you
will manage this, Nambi.

Because we need to know what is being
discussed in RCD for our know-why.

Otherwise our mission is kaput.

Enough, don't keep repeating it
like a broken record.

'Nambi'

Remember what the French taught us
when we visited the Monet museum.

Take a few steps back and look
at the painting from a distance.

Only then we can
appreciate its true beauty.

Yes, but what does that have to do
with our discussion right now?

Nambi.

Viking engine has got
a low upper stability margin.

- What are you saying?
- Yeah.

The system is designed to have
an operating pressure of 52.6 bars.

A system like this should
have a stability margin

of at least 5 bars more than that.

How much can the Viking handle?

Like if the pressure goes up by even 2 bars.

When I set eyes on a beautiful girl.

And go gaga over her.

Viking will vibrate faster than me.

'Height of self respect!
He takes a royal dig at himself'

- Nambi
- Hey!

- Let me introduce you to-
- Hey!

Barry! How are you doing?

- Good to see you, man.
- You jerk!

After all that filter coffee last time.

You couldn't bother to say
a proper goodbye, huh?

I'm so sorry.

He is part of the advisory
committee for the Viking engine.

Oh! He is part of
the advisory committee?

Guys, this is Barry
He is from the U.S.

Part of the advisory committee
for the Viking engine.

Oh! Congrats, man.

Hey, so how come
you didn't tell them

that the upper stability margin
of the Viking engine is so low, huh?

I think the alcohol is getting to him.

Okay, I tried telling you

I promise I won't say
'I told you so' later on.

So tell me, how long have you been here?

Ah, not for long.

Just here to observe
and assist if necessary.

Are you assisting? Good.

What were you saying
about the stability margin?

Michelle, I was saying that the.

Upper stability margin of
the Viking engine is a little too low.

A little bit of change in
the operating pressure and the engine

will vibrate or worse still
totally explode!

No... no, that's not possible.

Actually it's quite possible
because you are assuming.

That your fuel is as pure
as the French wine!

But if it turns out to be
a cheap American knock-off.

The engine will be drunk
before you can say 'santé'

Is that your Indian sense of humor?

What if I prove it to you?

- Shall we begin?
- Yes.

Param, start.

Perfect!

Smooth running.

That will be the operating pressure
we designed it to be.

Yes, but what about
the stability margin, huh?

Param.

Increase.

Stop it
Stop the engine!

Hey! But an engine like this should be
able to withstand this easily, huh?

Without a reasonable stability margin

you are vulnerable to
high risk failures, guys.

Param, some more.

Nambi.

- You see my point?
- Yes.

Yes... yes, stop the engine.

If that stand explodes,
it will cost us a million pounds!

It won't explode now.

Another 0.2 bars and then
the fireworks will begin!

Engine is giving our expert belly dancer
a complex about her hip-shake!

Param, increase it.

Stop! Stop the engine please.

Param... Param... Param.

'Stop... stop'

Michelle, I've done this before.

The Ariane deserves
a much more reliable engine.

I know that you have placed orders
for the mass production of the spare parts.

But if I were you, I would think twice
before putting my name on those contracts.

But the rest is up to you.

Hey! Come on, guys, let's go.

Poor thing! That girl is even more
shaken than the engine!

I know you long enough to know that
you are obviously doing this for a reason.

But I don't know what it is.

So I have to fall
in the trap and ask you.

Can you fix this?

God's sake, Nambi.

This is 'yes'

And this is 'no'

What does this mean?

[French] Thank God!
Someone finally asked.

Yes... yes, I think I can do it.

But I need all the information and data
on the test failures to be able to do that

[whispering]

The one place where
all the relevant information

can be given to you is the RCD.

Would you be able to
make time for those meetings?

Yes, I guess I can do that.

But, Michelle,
my schedule is very packed.

Very busy.

We'll work around your schedule.

What happened, Param?

I think what you can do is rotate
all my men in all the departments.

So that they can fill in for me
when I am at the RCD.

Easily done.

The committee meets tomorrow at 9.

But, Nambi, all I have is
about 60 days to fix this.

Can you do it?

Yes, yes, yes!
Yes, I can

- I can try to fix it.
- Thank you.

I've heard of a mountain
being dragged by a strand of hair.

But you accomplished
this Herculean task, Nambi.

Okay, you managed to get inside RCD.

How will you increase the stability margin
of that damn Viking engine?

Hail Professor Crocco!

I swear!

Devious wiz!

You've already solved it, right?

The problem is in the orifice.

All we have to do is increase
the diameter of the injector passage.

And the stability margin will shoot up.

Nambi, you are THE man.

Thank you, but there is only one guy
who can do this precise job.

- Our man Unni?
- That's right.

We have to bring him here
at the earliest and finish the job.

Only then everything
will be within our circle.

Nambi, we are talking about ISRO.

He will be here in
a year or two, if we rush it!

He has to come here
within 15 days.

We have no other option.

We won't get a better opportunity
to finish this mission victoriously.

'Sir, the ruckus you created
to get me here'

Like smearing the bull's butt
with 'chunam' paste

to make it run faster in a rekla race.

ISRO created history
driving me up the wall, sir.

Given the chance.

The Governor would have dropped me
bag and baggage at the airport.

So you understand how important
your work here is, in France, Unni?

- Yes, sir.
- The whole mission depends on you.

How's everyone at home, Unni?

Fine, sir.

My son wasn't keeping very well.

- Aiyo!
- But he's fine now

I told my wife I'm going
to France and she said.

'He who can't catch the rooster on the roof
claims he's catching a glimpse of paradise'

On my way back, she asked me
to buy 1/2 kg onions, sir.

So are you ready to
take on the French, Unni?

The lime paste has already
been smeared on my butt, sir!

Just watch me sprint!

That's my man!

'Nambi, call for you on line #3'

Hello?

'Unni...?'

'Can I talk to Unni?'

'I have been trying to
reach him for a long time'

Sorry, Unni is not here

I am Nambi Na ray an an here.

Can I take any message?

Oh! Nambi sir... Nambi sir

I am Unni's father-in-law speaking.

'I have been trying to reach him
in this # for the past 2 days'

'The most tragic event has befallen us'

'Unni's 3 year old son'

'has passed away, sir'

O' Mother Goddess!

'We are waiting for him'

Please send Unni home
as soon as possible, sir.

His wife is heart broken
and inconsolable.

Nambi sir?

'Nambi sir?'

Sir, I am at a loss for words
I don't know what to do.

'I know this is the most
unbearable tragedy for you'

But there's a hitch, sir.

It will take at least 15 days
for Unni to reach Trivandrum.

Why, sir?

'Sir, try to understand
what I'm about to tell you'

Even if I move heaven and earth

to organize Unni's papers and tickets
for him to fly will take minimum 4-5 days.

By which time you would have
finished all the rites.

Instead if Unni stayed here for 8 days
and completed his task.

We will be able to complete
a key project of our mission, sir.

He is indispensable to us now.

This will be a great service
on his part to our motherland, sir.

So I request you to allow.

'Whaat?!'

'Are you mad or what?'

Didn't you hear a word
of what I just told you?

His one and only son is dead, sir.

Sir... sir.

You don't have to give me
an answer right now.

I understand your trauma, sir

I'll call you in a short while.

'Consult your daughter and
let me know your decision, sir'

Thank you, sir.

'Sir, 1 minute'

'Before you tell me your decision
I need to explain something to you'

If Unni leaves now
without completing his task.

The blood, sweat and tears of
52 scientists for so many years.

ISRO's investment and resources
will go down the drain.

And take many more years
to retrieve our position.

'Sir, wait'

'Don't push me into a moral dilemma'

'I cannot dream of asking
my daughter to do this'

To the best of my ability

I will try and... take good care of her.

'You do what you think is best, sir'

Thank you very much, Nambi sir.

You never let me pay for any of the gifts
I buy for my family or my son.

I feel a bit guilty, sir.

Don't worry about all that.

All you have to do is
finish your job.

Sure, sir.

Excellent!

Unni, you've got a call from home.

Someone from your house
wants to talk to you.

Can't you hear me?
You've got a call from India.

GET IT INTO YOUR HEAD
EMERGENCY CALL FOR YOU

COME

Nambi.

When?

Unni.

Unni.

Unni.

You knew about this 15 days earlier.

But you didn't tell me.

You saw me buy clothes
and toys for my son.

You came shopping with me
and you even paid for it!

Then.

How is it even possible
for a man to be this inhuman?

I did everything knowing
fully well what I was doing.

I had no choice, Unni.

Even if you had gone back home early
you couldn't have changed anything.

But everything here
would have got ruined.

You succeeding in this mission
unfortunately became my cruel duty.

I'm ready to apologize to you.

But I know very well
you will not forgive me.

No one should be in my shoes, Unni.

'But if it did again to me
I will do exactly what I did now'

What happened?

Unni's son died and
Nambi didn't tell him.

Are you done?

Got everything off your chest?

This is not to reconcil.

I do not want to see your face
ever again in my life.

Unni... Unni!

- Nambi, why ddi you do this?
- Did I ask you for advice?

And even if I ask you
don't give it to me.

I am not here to get
a character certification from you.

Or win a popularity contest.

We are here on a mission.

It's to our credit
if we complete it properly.

And if any of you have a problem
you can go back home today

I can finish this mission
without any of you.

Go now.

Get to work.

We don't have time.

There isn't much of a difference
between your lie and the truth you hid.

You lied.

You hid the truth.

But you did it purely for the welfare of
our nation and development of ISRO

I can understand that.

But despite all these sacrifices.

The first liquid engine
that India made

took a very long time, right?

Nearly 8 years.

Though we went to France and got
a detailed training with their scientists.

As usual we didn't have the funds
to build our own liquid engine.

Finally they sanctioned
Rs 1 crore to build 1 engine.

I built the engine in 60 lakhs.

'But the test stand required to
test my engine cost nearly 100 crores'

'1 billion!'

'So we had no choice but to go to France
and test my engines on their test stand'

'Without external help we wanted
ISRO to finally launch its own satellites'

'We knew how important the success
of this engine hinged on it'

'So we were all extremely tense'

- Param, the pressure system's good?
- Good to go.

All the best, Nambi.

Thanks, Michelle.

[French] I have a feeling this will
crash and burn in less than 45 seconds.

Of course it will but
the question is, which second?

- Want to bet?
- Yes

42 seconds.

I hope everything goes well today.

At least our engine should fire.

Even though Viking runs for 135 seconds

I'll be happy with at least 90.

Lord, allow it to run for 135 seconds

I'll ensure the 135 scientists in ISRO will
climb up Tirupati and tonsure their heads.

Just 135 seconds

I'll make 135 kg of 'laddu'
with pure Indian ghee.

'Out station, this is Control'

'Weather condition okay'

'Clear to fire'

Roger, copy that.

'Ten'

'Nine'

'Eight'

'Seven'

'Six'

'Five'

'Four'

'Three'

'Two'

'One'

[praying fervently]

106-107-108

Hundred and

130-131-132

133-134

Thank you
Thank you so much.

You should congratulate Nambi
It's his birthday as well.

Thank you
Congratulations.

My God!

My God! What have you done, Nambi?
I'm so proud and happy for you!

Thank you.

For all those back home who thought
we are here for the wine and women.

This is a tight slap on all their faces.

You have proven them wrong Nambi
Na ray an an can be trusted to deliver.

You are the man!

VIKAS! It is a strange name for an engine.

So is Vikram A Sarabhai.

Nambi, I have to fulfil my vow
of tonsuring the heads of 135.

Vik-A-S.

Trust you to come up
with such an apt name!

[French] Thank you so much
for your assistance.

This would never have been
possible without all of you.

Thank you.

Did he just rattle in French?

He did indeed.

Very fluent French, in fact!

Vikas engine was a noteworthy
turning point for ISRO.

Even after 25 years.

Vikas engine has not failed even once.

ISRO's magnificent achievement.

Launches and missions
might have failed.

But Vikas engine.

Not once.

Not even once has it failed till date.

None of ISRO's significant missions will
travel in space without our Vikas engine.

This is a truth that cannot be
concealed or contradicted by anyone.

What an astounding achievement, sir.

Thank you.

But you don't do anything
in half measures.

Then your next aim.

Cryogenic engines.

Yes, despite the number of solid
and liquid fuel engines we had.

Without cryogenics stage

in the satellite launch market
we wouldn't have made a name for ourselves.

At that time I was the head
Chief of Cryogenic Unit.

We didn't have the time
to make a cryogenic engine.

'Deciding to import the technology
from other countries, we issued tenders'

And in this 'groom matching' quest
all the expected countries applied.

'American and French offers
weren't feasible for us'

'On the other hand'

'Russian economy was drowning'

'And on that drowning ship was an engine
that I was very familiar with'

The KVD-1 engines.

[Russian] How the eff does he
know about the engines?

Were you aware that he knows?

How would I know?

Sir, how do you know
about the KVD-1 engin.

Hey! Easy.

How do you know about KVD-1 engines?

Oh! Please don't worry about that

I also know.

That you have 252 engines.

All I am asking for is

4 engines and technology transfer.

[Russian] What the hell!

He knows that too.

He probably knows the color
of our inner wear too!

Be careful dealing with him.

Nambi.

You are a dangerous man!

This is extremely classified information.

How did you get access to it?

[Russian] 'If I tell you that,
you will die'

'And I will die!'

Listen, don't worry about it.

That's all the Russian I know!

Okay, let me be honest with you.

Our country is in shambles right now.

Our economy is in danger.

At Glavskosmos
we really need this deal.

So here is what we do.

Do not mention the names in the contract
Just say that you need an engine with.

With a specific impulse of 461!

Yeah... that.

And I will do my best.

I'm sure you will.

- Sir, may I come in?
- Yes, Nambi.

Have you started
training your replacements?

I'll start in a couple of days, sir.

Did you go through
the Russian contract?

Hmmm, I went through it.

Are we making a mistake again?

14 years ago we could have
bought this technology from France.

For 10 million.

But then too, in the favor of being
too premature we let the deal go.

And today France is asking us
10 billion for the exact same technology

I rest my case!

Okay.

The Russian quotation is exactly
1⁄4th that of the others.

First class technology.

But.

On account of being the cheapest
they will be disqualified

I know, sir.

But I think I have a solution.

Just leave it to me.

Thank you.

[Russian] Why are the Indians
being so generous?

What do you mean?

For a meagre extra hardware
they are paying much more than its worth.

- Should we be worried?
- Nothing to worry.

Too desperate to broker this deal
we didn't realize the value of what we had.

But Nambi did and
he's just being fair.

That is why we love the Indians.

There's no balance in this world.

Why?

Don't rub it in.

She's coming.

Be brave and speak
with your mouth open.

Understood?

- Mr Nambi.
- Hi.

So what are you thinking about so deeply?

I was just thinking how

my wife would love a saree
in the color of your dress.

This is her favorite color.

I'm sure she misses you very much

I'm sure she does.

Thank you.

Ma'am, I would like you to meet another
brilliant rocket scientist from ISRO.

Mr Param.

Nice to meet you, Mr Param

[incoherent muttering]

Goodbye.

Goodnight.

Sir, only you understood
your 'pleased to meet you'

There's no balance in this world!

Sir, we should stop sniffing around here
We'll find you a bride closer to home.

Impossible.

Sir, everything is possible.

Impossible!

How does he land up wherever we are?

'Mr Barry'

Gentlemen.

Nambi.

What are you guys doing here?

You know usual Govt work.

But seriously.

Am I following you
or you following me?

It is definitely me who is trying
to follow you and that's not easy!

- You are an exceptional man, Nambi.
- Thank you.

You know what? I want
to show you something.

Come with me.

I want to ask you something.

You know the work done at NASA
benefits the whole world.

From artificial limbs to heart pumps.

Road safety to improved tyres.

Our contribution really hasn't made
the world a safer place for humans.

But I always wondered.

Humanity would have been better served.

If you worked in NASA.

Instead of what you are doing now.

No offense.

But could you imagine?

What all you could've accomplished
with the absolute best resources.

Completely at your disposal.

So I'm curious.

Why did you say 'no'
to NASA's offer, Nambi?

Yeah.

Yeah, I know.

There should be a photograph
of you in the Oxford dictionary.

Right next to the definition
of the word 'Patriotism'

So... uh.

- What are you doing here in Moscow?
- Me?

Oh! You know.

Usual Govt work.

What happened?

What is the emergency?

I don't know if you are aware, but.

USSR as a nation
will cease to exist tomorrow.

The Americans, who are as it is, pissed off.

That you haven't awarded
the contract to them.

But given it to us instead

are taking advantage
of the prevailing situation.

And claiming that Russia is
in violation with MTCR.

By selling the cryogenic engines to India.

When did a cryogenic engine become
a weapon of mass destruction?

And that too with a 500 kg payload?

When have Americans ever played fair?

I suspect they have an eye
on all 252 of them.

And they are claiming that India
is using the KVD-1s to develop the ICBM.

And if we go ahead
with this contract.

They will impose heavy
punitive sanctions on us.

We are sorry, Nambi.

This will stop us from competing
in the satellite launch markets.

And push us back by decades!

We are so close.

[Russian] I just got a call from Kremlin.

We have to make this happen.

We have to help the Indians.

What do you mean?

The Indians have always been good to us.

And this man Nambi
has been very kind and fair.

We can't let him down.

The Kremlin has ordered me
to see if we can help him out.

What do you suggest we do?

Nambi, do you have an idea
how we can work it out?

Yes.

We actually do.

Technically, all 4 engines
are ready for delivery.

The deferred payments
were for India's convenience.

What if we expedite the payments?

Will you be able to handle
all 4 engines in one go?

That's great idea, Nambi.

I can get the team here to comply.

This will be a win-win.

You guys win.

I get screwed.

Do you really think I am that stupid?

Okay, look.

I can pick up the engines
wherever in Russia.

And deliver them anywhere in Russia.

But I can't take them out of the country.

What do you say, Mr Nambi?

Can you handle shipping?

Professor Rao, there's no way Ural airlines
will do it for less than 90 lakh rupees.

Nambi, is there no limit
to your demands?

I just got the payment
for the engines released in full.

Now you want another
90 lakhs for Ural airlines?

Where will I go for the money?

How many times do you
want me to go to the PMO?

'Sir, I'm not asking 90 lakhs for myself'

Ask our Grand National airlines.

Why didn't they live up
to their promise?

We wouldn't be
in this dilemma now, right?

'Now we have no choice
but to go with Ural airlines'

Sir, at this moment,
our need is more than theirs.

Because if the Russians
don't give us the cryogenic engines.

The Americans certainly won't oblige.

'The French will take
advantage of our plight'

'And sell it to us at 5 times the cost'

That will be the end of
India's cryogenic dreams forever.

Okay, give me some time, sir.

- Phone from PM's office.
- 'Americans are not making our lives easy'

Nambi, 1 minute.

Yes, sir.

'The fund has been sanctioned'

Okay, sir.

'Congratulations, Nambi
Your fund has been approved'

'Now go, get us those bloody engines'

Thank you so very much, sir

I'll definitely bring.

Thanks, Kalam.

- 'May I speak to Nambi?'
- I'll patch you on to Nambi.

'Sir, patching your call'

- 'Kalam'
- Nambi?

As far as solid fuels
are concerned, my work is over.

Now it is time for you
to take us to the stars.

Kalam

I don't believe doing
anything in small measures.

How are things at the DRDO?

Going smooth, all well.

But I miss the fun
we had working together.

Anyway all the best.

Bye, Kalam.

Thank God! That's all taken care of.

So we are all set.

Can you promise the engines
will be delivered on time?

I cannot promise that we will
even be alive 2 hours later!

That's the state our country is in.

The only thing I can promise
is that I'll try my best.

Since I'm the one flying you out
you can pay me once the job is done.

We will fly from Krasnoyarsk
to avoid attracting any attention

Americans are definitely
going to keep an eye out for us.

The Americans will be looking out
for flights leaving for India.

What are your suggestions?

I think we should fly to Karachi.

Re-fuel and then fly to Trivandrum

Karachi?

The Americans would
never imagine

we would take rocket parts
to our hostile enemy nation.

And the Pakistanis would
never search a Russian aircraft.

Brilliant strategy!

That's a great idea.

While we are at it
let's get the engines drunk.

Drunk?
What do you mean?

Dismantle them.

Hide them in the vodka crates.

Another good idea!

The Americans know.

They are on their way here.

We have to leave.

What do you mean 'leave'?
2nd consignment is just taking off

I need the nozzle assembly kit
of all the four engines.

As well as some parts of the 4th engine
I'm not leaving without that.

[Russian] Give me the damn radio!

Nambi, you and your colleagues
have to leave now.

Or your lives will be in danger.

Official orders from your chairman ISRO.

[Russian] Sven, hold the take off.

What about the rest of my parts?

Rest of the 3rd consignment?

There's no TIME!

Think about your families.

Wow, sir!

Only in cinemas we are heroes, sir.

What an inspiring life!

Holding the engine in one hand
and your life in the other.

You've made the impossible possible.

What an adventure!

This sounds... James Bond
like a spy thriller to me.

- Thank you.
- The next 3 years.

Even after the retirement of
U R Rao who supported you.

You did not stop with
your efforts to reach your goal.

With no manuals or guidance.

You were assembling
the cryogenic engines.

But before your cryogenics dream
could come true.

Your dream turned into a curse.

'Am I right?'

'There is free-for-all chaos
that has started in Kerala'

'The case has been
handed over to us'

'Look into the preliminaries'

Right away, sir.

'Give me one more day
I'll make him cough up everything'

'Are you out of your mind?'

'Entire media is in front of
the police station from this morning'

Shift him to Latex guest house immediately.

Okay, sir.

Move aside.

'Sir... sir'

Move... make way.

Hello, sir.

How are you?

I'm fine, who are you?

Why have you arrested me?
Which department are you?

We'll tell you, sir.

Hey! Get a cup of tea for sir.

How did a man of your stature
stoop to this level, sir?

This case is absolute nonsense

I have been ordered
to interrogate you.

But just as a formality
we have a few questions to ask.

All that's fine, sir.

But why did they arrest me
like a common criminal, sir?

That too outside a temple?

Somebody pushed me
Pinned my neck down with his knee.

This is not the way, sir
I'm an ISRO scientist.

- Sorry, sir.
- This is not acceptable

I apologize on their behalf, sir.

It's just that, some of these officers
just don't know how to behave.

You aren't hurt, right?

No.

Please ask me whatever question you want

I have to go back home
My family is waiting for me.

Thank you.

Sir, who is this Mariam Rasheeda?

- Mariam, who?
- Rasheeda

Mariam Rasheeda?

I don't know
Was she working in ISRO?

Let him go.

What do you think
you are doing, man?

Brainless or what? Is this how
you behave with a scientist?

CONTROL YOURSELF!

I'm sorry, sir.

Are you okay?

Sir, I wish to apologize on his behalf.

He's always like this.

Sir, the thing is, we need
information about this woman Mariam.

And why you sold
rocket technology to Pakistan?

- This is all we want.
- Sir, I don't know.

And if we don't get this information.

We'll bury you alive in this guest house.

We are shedding our blood
and sweat to protect our nation.

'And you think you can sell
our nation for a few quick bucks?

Bloody traitor!

Now that you've had a good bath.

- Let's start our prayers.
- Wait.

Look here.

Let's not waste each other's time.

Come to the point.

You met that Maldivian woman
and you slept with her.

You got caught in a honey trap.

And to get out of it
you sold our country's secrets.

This is the sequence of events.

You had better confess
and we'll go easy on you.

So while you are at it, why don't you
make me to confess about the Bofors case?

And the share market scandal also?

He's funny, eh?
Good sense of humor

I think we should show him
our sense of humor.

O' Mother Goddess!

[Malayalam] 'This case'
is getting serious'

'Big heads will roll
We should be careful'

Traitors don't deserve to sit!

Fine.

I won't sit.

But you are wrong.

Because I was never in Madras
on the 24th of January.

WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!

That is none of your business!

Who do you think I am, huh?

You think I don't know
this telephone is a recorder?

You assumed I would repeat
everything you say.

And you would record it
and use it as my confession?

What do you take me for... a fool?

I am a Rocket Scientist!

Scientist?

You will know as time goes by
what you should and shouldn't say.

We are just getting started.

Where were you on the 24th of January?

'I met N... Nrambi Na ray an'

'In a hotel room'

'Forget about a confession'

'This man won't be alive until tomorrow
at the rate you are going!'

BP is low.

Heart rate is off the chart.

'We have to revive him immediately'

Get up.

Sir, this is Nambi Na ray an an
I came to hand over this case to you.

Hello, Mr Na ray an an

I am P M Nair from the CBI.

Thank you for telling me
your name and department.

The three others before you
didn't tell me anything.

Like some tea?

'Please sit down'

Go pal, sit down
Drink tea before you go.

- No, it's okay.
- Please sit down.

Have a cup of tea with us.

How are you doing?

- Sir...
- Yeah, please come.

Sit... sit here.

Rajashekar, please sit here.

Fauziya, please sit

Mariam.

Sir, I just came to hand over
the case, I am leaving.

- Sit down, Go pal, please.
- No, it's okay, sir.

Go pal, sit down.

Mariam.

Do you recognize

this man?

Yes, sir.

He's the bastard

who threatened to put ice
on my private parts, sir.

Sir, she's lying.

- Damn you! I'll break your bones.
- Quiet... quiet!

Will you stop talking to her in Malayalam?
She only understands English.

Are you saying you do NOT recognize her?

'No, sir, somebody else
put her in this situation'

Sir, he said he would rape me
in front of my daughter.

'If I don't do as he said'

- How dare you!
- Quiet, Go pal.

- You know whom you're talking to?
- Go pal, sit down.

QUIET, GOPAL!
Sit down.

Mariam?

You know him?

Yes.

'Where have you met him?'

Actually I have never met him, sir.

I just heard his name once.

My arrest was done and the inspector
showed his pictures to us.

And we were... trained to say his name.

Nam... Nambi... Nambi Nara.

Is that what you were doing?

Reading off a board
during the confession?

Yes, they were holding it for us to read

I'm sorry, sir
I have to go.

GOPAL!

I need to speak to Mr Na ray an an alone.

We were beaten and tortured
to say your name in this case.

We had no option.

We are very sorry.

Sorry.

Have some tea please.

Not to worry.

Relax, drink your tea

[saucer clattering]

3rd degree?

What do you think?

If they hadn't called a doctor
in the middle of the night to revive me

I wouldn't be sitting here in front of you

CBI is already on to the case.

They had no business questioning you.

Questioning me?

They weren't here to question me.

They wanted to beat a confession
out of me for a crime I didn't commit.

What confession?

That I sold rocketry secrets
to Pakistan for 9.

I'm not recording you.

If I need to record you
I'll let you know.

That in return for sleeping
with one of these women.

I sold my nation's rocketry secrets
to Pakistan it seems.

And they paid me $9 lakhs for it.

And this deal happened in
Hotel International in Chennai.

On the 24th of January it seems.

And...?

And all of this is a lie.

How can I sell technology to Pakistan
that our country does not possess?

And the designs I allegedly
sold to Pakistan are available.

In any book store anywhere in the world
for a mere sum of Rs 200.

You can't build a rocket engine
with all those so called facts.

Sir, this is Rocket Science

52 scientists worked in close collaboration
with French scientists for 3 years.

And it still took us 16 years
to build our own rocket engines.

And.

Today is the first time
I have met these 2 ladies.

And.

They have their facts completely wrong.

On the 23rd of January
I was attending my friend's funeral.

And on January 25th, it was
my granddaughter's first birthday.

On 24th, the day in question

I was not in Madras.

I was in Trivandrum in ISRO.

If you want, you can check
the vehicle log books.

I'll try and get to the bottom
of this as soon as possible.

Meanwhile for your safety
I need to move you to judicial custody.

I just have one last question.

As innocent as you say you are.

Why has no one from ISRO
come to your aid?

Nobody has even come
and seen you so far in jail.

Why?

I don't know, sir.

Maybe scientists are strange people!

They know exactly how to
react when a rocket fails.

Maybe they don't know
how to react when a man collapses!

Hey! A visitor is here to see you.

Wow!

What timing!

If someone had asked me who would
have been my 1st visitor in jail.

I would have never guessed
it would've been you in a 1000 years.

How are you doing, Mr Unni?

Congratulations, Mr Unni.

The state you were yearning to see me in.

I am standing right in front of you
fulfilling your wish!

Beaten, disheveled
and in soiled clothes.

Broken spirit.

Family humiliated.

Career in shambles.

Look, I've peed in my pant.

No bladder control.

And on top of it all.

Branded as a traitor.

But you know what?

What you went through
because of me.

You are justified in seeing me
in this state, rightfully so.

And for Mr Unni.

I am willing to stand here
for as long as you want.

Feast your eyes.

How I would extract revenge
for what you did to me

is something I have thought of
every single day in my life.

Because you lack
basic human kindness.

Temerity from head to toe.

A mean, law unto yourself,
selfish son of a bitch.

'Monster even'

But even then, in my worst dreams

I couldn't have imagined
seeing you like this.

But whatever you are,
Mr Nambi Na ray an an.

From my unfortunate personal experience.

I know.

You just cannot betray our nation.

It is a shame beyond words
no one visited you in jail so far.

Now that I am here.

Tell me what needs to be done
to get you out of here.

Because in this room.

If you think you are
the only patriot here.

You are making a mistake once more.

'Sir, please do something'

They are beating appa in jail and
asking him unrelated questions.

Sir, why.

Sir, they are trying to coerce
sensitive information from him.

'Who is head of cryogenics research?'

'Who sanctions TOT deals?'

I don't know why
they need to know all this.

I don't know how much more
Nambi sir can take, sir.

Does anybody in ISRO know what to do?

- When can we meet appa?
- Sir, please do something.

When can we go and meet appa?

We can go anytime.

Take a few clothes and some
home cooked food, okay?

I've packed food for him

I'll just get his clothes.

Sister, can you make
a cup of tea for me?

Whatever happens
we cannot take her to jail

[door bell rings]

'I seriously don't know
where to begin, sir'

The sheer audacity and the absurdity
of filing such a case on him shocks me.

It's mind boggling, sir

I'll show you.

Apart from Nambi Na ray an an
there are 5 others in this case, sir.

'Rajashekaran, a Glavskosmos agent'

'He was working with the Russians'

Surendran.

'Expert metallurgist with
Cryogenics department at ISRO'

Fauzya Hassan
Maldivian citizen.

'She came to India to admit
her daughter in school'

'Along with her friend Mariam Rasheeda'

Mariam Rasheeda

'35 year old Maldivian citizen'

'She sparked the entire chaos'

'And the common link between
Surendran, Rajashekaran and I D Go pal'

'And finally I D Go pal'

'Kerala police'

'Responsible for the initial arrests'

'Likely due to a personal grudge
against these women'

'It is true these women met
I D Go pal, Surendran and Rajashekaran'

'Some favors were offered'

'Some taken'

'Some denied'

A small regional newspaper published
one of these indiscretions.

Media blew it up into a circus
and the frenzies followed.

'Kerala Police is setting right
the authority within their department'

'Using this case to their advantage'

Like bursting crackers
on a non-Deepavali day.

Intelligence Bureau Department
totally unconnected poked its nose too.

Their agenda seems dubious.

'And finally Kerala political parties'

Jumped into the arena to settle
their long standing feud.

End result is.

'In effect, a hastily concocted
despicable case with inexplicable motives'

And what is more baffling
is as far as espionage, spying.

And transfer of rocket technology
to Pakistan is concerned.

Forget Nambi, sir.

There is not even an iota of proof to
implicate any of the others in this case.

'These are the facts I have
established in my investigation'

'Mariam Rasheeda had never
met Nambi Na ray an an before'

They met for the first time
in my presence in custody.

'We were beaten and tortured
to say your name in this case'

As reported by IB
on January 24th.

Forget Hotel International.

Nambi Na ray an an was
not even in Chennai.

He was in Trivandrum
on that day in ISRO.

'If you want you can check
the vehicle log books'

'All of them were tortured
and confessions were coerced'

Except for Nambi who withstood
all the torture meted to him.

And till the end confessed nothing.

'I visited Nambi's house to inquire, sir'

'Which by the way, IB and the Kerala police
have not bothered to do till date'

'This isn't the lifestyle of a man
who was offered 9 lakh US dollars'

So everybody else is lying?

And your father didn't
commit any crime.

Do you believe he is innocent?

Sir, kindly step out

I need to talk to you.

Please come.

Come, sir
2 minutes.

Leave right now, sir.

Where have you come
and whom are you maligning?

What gall to deride my husband to ME!

I want you to leave, sir.

It's a very self-respecting family, sir.

I am suspicious of the time frame
this case has been foisted on Nambi.

'Because here are two things that have
come to light from my visit to ISRO, sir'

One

45 days back, India launched
her first remote sensing satellite.

And stupefied the world.

Therefore in the multi-billion dollar
satellite launch market

India proved she is a powerful contender.

Two.

Only recently India imported from Russia
cryogenic technology and engines.

Thereby enabling ISRO
in comparison to other agencies

to launch satellites
at a much lower price.

America tried its best to
stop this deal, come what may.

What seems highly suspicious

3 men who were arrested were
working in the cryogenic department.

Is this simply a coincidence?

Or our bigger concern is.

To get ISRO completely out of
the commercial satellite market.

And stop ISRO from competing at any cost.

Was it a diabolical
well-planned conspiracy?

What is more cause for anxiety, Nair.

If Nambi Na ray an an, the man touted
to be the next director of ISRO

is as innocent as you claim.

Then who dragged his name into this case?

'Who is trying to destroy
Nambi Na ray an an?'

This incident forced you to be
imprisoned for 50 days.

And the Maldivian women lost
2 years of their lives in jail.

Top officer of Kerala police
was suspended.

The Deputy Director of IB
who was in charge of this case.

Retiring prematurely.

And settled down
with his family in USA.

And Chief Minister of Kerala
was dismissed from his seat of power.

Many questions still remain unanswered.

But the only silver lining of solace is.

After numerous appearances in court.

Enduring the torture
and 50 days in jail.

You were finally granted bail.

And you got your freedom.

Is that 'solace'?

Please.

Just wait here
Please understand.

Please.

Pa.

Appa!

Where is Meena?

Where is she?

Huh?

Meena.

She couldn't handle the brutal way
people treated her, appa.

HUH?

Meena?

MEENA

Meena.

Hey!

Meena.

What is the matter, dear?

Meena...?

Hey!

I'm back.

Look at me

I'm back home, dear.

Aiyo!

'Shankar
Geetha...?'

Meena rushed out that way.

Alright, pa.

I'm fine, go check on her.

"Who poisoned my milky white life
with such venomous spite and strife?"

"Who dispersed my dreams so lofty
that touched the skies high & mighty?"

[Malayalam] We need to take her
to a senior psychologist.

She is in a state of deep shock
like she has seen a ghost.

Sir, I don't think your wife
believes you are actually back.

Don't worry
She will recover soon.

"My heart yearns to beat no more
at this torturous twist to settle a score"

"Won't this be a nightmare
that will vanish into thin air?"

"Can't tomorrow bless and bring
a dawn with a new beginning?"

"Like a meteorite drilling a deep crater"

"My life has fallen into depths of despair"

"This pain is a torment unimaginable"

"My breath feels choked; Indefinable"

"In this mirage that made no sense
I searched for my life's essence"

"I spent every minute of the day
like a walking corpse wasting away"

"Will this darkness dissolve
for clear skies to (r)evolve?"

"Will my life be a dead end
always sullied and stained?"

"Will my life once again bloom
dispelling this grief and gloom?"

"Can't this be a dream best forgotten
that will fade into oblivion?"

"Can't tomorrow envelop
a dawn of fresh hope?"

"Like a meteorite drilling a deep crater"

"My life has fallen into depths of despair"

"This pain is a torment unimaginable"

"My breath feels choked; Indefinable"

'Although Nambi Na
ray an an is out on bail'

'It is unlikely he will be
reinstated in ISRO'

'As per the new case
Kerala police has filed'

Narasimhan.

Let's talk outside.

Nambi, don't be silly.

'They can't manufacture
an evidence and put you in jail'

Narasimhan, if I do go back to jail

I don't want my family
to be left in the lurch.

As it is, they are going through hell.

It has to be written someday.

"Won't this be a nightmare
that will vanish into thin air?"

"Can't tomorrow bless and bring
a dawn with a new beginning?"

"Like a meteorite drilling a deep crater"

"My life has fallen into depths of despair"

"This pain is a torment unimaginable"

"My breath feels choked; Indefinable"

'Appa'

I know for the past 6 months
you've been through hell.

And we cannot even begin
to imagine all that you've faced.

Do exactly what you want.

Nobody can stop you and
we'll totally understand.

But let me share two points.

One, the need to prove
your innocence to the world.

And the frenzy is embedded only in you.

And secondly.

God forbid, if something happens to you.

This family will always be known
as traitors to the nation forever.

And I don't think as a family
we'll be able to live with that either.

By the way.

Here's the will you asked
your lawyer to draft.

Appa.

Are we not better than this?

A run an.

Let's call the cryogenic department.

I want to know what the progress is.

'I want regular updates'

'If I get a chance to work
on this project again'

'I want to be completely prepared'

Why is it so empty?

After Rajashekaran, Surendran and you
were arrested, there was panic in the ranks.

They opted for a transfer
to other departments.

Few of them left Trivandrum
to join ISRO in other cities.

How many are left?

A fraction!

How strange!

Why does it look like nobody
has been here for months, huh?

What are you looking for?

Where are the nozzle assembly kit
and the other engines?

- Nambi, they were never delivered.
- What?!

'You were the single point
contact for this project'

Without you, the foundation collapsed!

Forget the 3rd consignment.

Parts of the 2nd consignment
have still not been unloaded.

'I am the one who told A run an
not to tell you anything'

India was once the greatest nation
in the world for science and technology!

Who would believe it?

Look at us now.

Like a blind man riding a horse!

Yes.

Someone rightly said

India never lost to her invaders.

We sacrificed ourselves
with our own swords.

And handed our nation
over to them on a platter.

Begging and beseeching other nations for
technology and parts seems to be our fate.

Every time we risk our lives and strive
we end up cutting our noses!

But, Param, other nations engage
our brilliant minds and overtake us.

Listen.

Why blame those who left?

Instead of focusing our intelligence
on research and earning name & fame

who in his right mind will want to
be indulging in street fights like us?

Even if our scientists are being used.

Still other nations do everything
internally, it is domestic.

Totally indigenous.

And that's exactly
what we need to do too.

First we make our Vikas engine
completely indigenous.

And then doesn't matter what it takes.

We make our cryogenic engine
completely indigenous.

Perfect!

That will only take us
another 20 years!

- Is that okay?
- So be it, so what?

At least things will be
at our own pace after that.

More importantly,
we will have all the control.

I'm afraid we don't have
any other choice, Mr Unni.

What if I tell you, we can make
the world turn speechless in amazement?

That I have the mother
of all indigenous ideas.

Will you believe me?

What?

The Mars Mission.

What if I tell you that if we focus
on indigenous production.

We can achieve this mission at a fraction
of what other agencies have spent on it.

Are you prepared to believe me?

Mr Genius.

We just concluded we won't have
cryogenic engines for the next 20 years!

You were here, right?

What if I tell you,
to succeed in Mars Mission.

We do NOT need a cryogenic engine
will you believe me?

We can just do it with
solid and liquid engines.

I firmly believe so.

It is 100% possible.

Not telling us this earlier,
what if I tell you

I want to launch a rocket up
your ass, will you believe me?!

5-4-3

You know how ridiculous
and eccentric you sound, right?

Is that so?

Uncle, being the 'king of eccentricity'
how can this be new to you?

While ISRO was still
floundering with solids

when you wanted to pursue liquids
it was eccentric to say the least.

Asking for £400 million worth
of equipment for free in Scotland?

Bizarre!

Carting our scientists to France.

And ending up building a better engine
than the French themselves?

Smuggling the cryogenic engine from Russia
from under the nose of Americans?

Uncle, if anybody should understand
the power of being eccentric

who else but you?

So why stop now?

Okay.

What do you have in mind?

So what if we don't have
the cryogenic engine?

Our Vikas engine runs for 180 seconds.

So if the Vikas engine can be increased
to enhance thrust, that will do.

I swear, trust me.

We can launch a satellite around Mars.

That too, as indigenous as it can get!

With our Indian Almanac!

Bravo!

Are you serious?

'Amme Bhagavati'
This is unbelievable!

And of course the rest is history!

A run an became the Project Head
of Mars Mission.

With the modified Vikas engine and
the science behind the Indian Almanac.

We accomplished the near impossible
in the very first attempt.

What an achievement, sir.

But during that period
you were under severe duress.

On one side you had to save your job
you regarded as your heartbeat.

And the other, a fight
to prove your innocence.

You were fighting this single handed

4 years, 75 court hearings,
3 lawyers, 5 petitions.

And the millions spent.

It would have taken a huge toll
on you and your family for sure.

Am I right?

Please come... welcome.

I'm so happy to see all of you.

Such a pleasant surprise, I didn't
expect to see the entire family.

The bride's family is boasting
of being a family of doctors.

But are we less by any standard?

We have rocket scientists
in our family, huh?

We'll be there.

Madam.

Too soon, I think we rushed it
We shouldn't have come here.

'Hey Mariam!'

Where are you?!

[mobile ringing]

Hello?

One sec.

Mama, it's for you.

Appa.

Who is it?

Who?

Hello, Nambi Na ray an an.

Yes.

Thanks.

What happened?

What is it?

It's over.

The case.

It's over

[many other mobiles ringing]

The Supreme Court has declared
that I'm completely innocent.

Meena... Mee.

Hold this.

Ma'am.

Meena, you don't have to cry anymore.

This is your victory.

You are the only one eligible
to revel in this moment fully, dear.

I was waiting for the verdict

I've finally earned the right now
to tell you how sorry I am.

Forgive me.

I wasn't a good husband.

How sorry I am
I wasn't a good father.

How sorry I am I always put
my work before you and the family.

Look at me.

You always believed in me unconditionally.

No matter what, you defended me.

You stood beside me

I don't know how to thank you, Meena?

Meena, forgive me, dear.

Please forgive me.

No... no... no, let me speak today.

Please listen to me.

Listen

I don't know if being a good husband
from now on will set right the past.

No matter what happens

I will always be beside you

I want to live for you.

Only for you.

Meena, you've done enough.

Now it's time for you to be the queen.

And let me serve you
for the rest of my life.

Let's go, dear

I want to go home.

Call for the car.

Is Meena okay?

Murali, I'm so sorry.

Don't apologize.

We are so blessed you got
this wonderful news in my son's wedding.

Please take care of your family.

Alright.

Let's go.

I take leave.

So.

Supreme court cleared your name
and pronounced your innocence.

If it is decided to pelt a dog and kill it

all that is required is to
label it a rabid dog!

In the same way
the intention was to

prevent you from
holding your head high.

Defaming you as a traitor
will do the trick.

That's the reward you got!

The despair and distress
brought about by this case.

Even 24 years later
your wife is still traumatized.

And hasn't recovered.

You have paid a heavy price for it.

You sued for a sum of
10 million as compensation.

But more than a decade later.

You have been granted only 1 million!

Is this compensation
of any value to you?

Do you think so?

What do you mean?

I may be too old, weak and senile
to spend or enjoy all that money, Mr Suriya.

But I want every single paisa
of that compensation.

Because unless I get that money.

The sword of suspicion hanging
as 'traitor' over my family won't vanish.

And after sacrificing all this,
I will not allow that infamy.

I am not fighting this only for myself.

How many people like me in this nation?

How many, Mr Suriya?

Those punished for being a patriot.

I must fight for their cause.

I will fight till my last breath.

I will fight.

To offer words of solace.

I'm totally at a loss.

Not as an actor or hero.

As an ordinary citizen.

As a human being.

I want to do this for you.

To do this on behalf of our entire nation.

I don't know if I have
the right or eligibility.

But I can't be without doing this.

Nambi, sir.

On behalf of our people.

I ask forgiveness.

For the way we treated you.

For all the due honors
we did not shower on you.

I ask forgiveness
for everything.

Please forgive us.

Sir, I understand your good intentions.

And I am grateful for it.

But please don't make
this grand apology.

If you offer an apology
ever so magnanimously.

And I accept it.

It will create a false sense of closure.

But it doesn't fix or change anything

I can't come to terms with that
and so I cannot accept your apology.

Mr Suriya.

If I am innocent.

Then isn't somebody else guilty?

The question is 'who'?

A befitting answer has to be found
for this question of mine.

If those who have dedicated
their lives for their nation's progress

are not respected or cherished.

No such nation has become
a superpower in our annals of history.

At the same time.

May be a few would have tried to
destroy me with that spy case.

But there were many, many more.

Without an ounce of fear

who stood by my side and fought
to establish by innocence.

That's why like I said in the beginning

I have complete faith in
the goodness of my people.

And the integrity of my nation.

Anyway.

For your goodness of heart.

Thank you very much.

Jai Hind!

'For ISRO to successfully integrate
a cryogenic engine in its launch program'

'It was a struggle
for more than 15 years'

'Because of Nambi Narayanan's arrest'

'India was unable to participate
in the satellite launch market'

'which led to the other players
benefitting immensely'

'Success of missions like
Chandra ya an and Mangalyaan'

'would have been impossible
without Nambi Narayanan's Vikas engine'

'Vikas engine is at the heart
of every launch of ISRO till date'

'Continues to be a historical fact'

'I congratulate today'

'All ISRO scientists'

'On this historic occasion'

'As you are trying to do something
which has not been done before'

'It is a leap into the dark'

'Humanity could not have progressed'

'if we had not taken
such leaps into the unknown'

'And space is indeed
the biggest unknown out there'

'We have gone beyond the boundaries'

'of human enterprise and imagination'

'India, in fact, is the only country'

'who has succeeded
in its very first attempt'

'These are all accomplishments'

'that will go down
as landmarks in history'