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Review of The Nambi Effect, Madhavan’s directorial debut, which flies to great heights gradually

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Review of The Nambi Effect, Madhavan’s directorial debut, which flies to great heights gradually

This biography, which is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, one of India’s first rocket scientists, details his accomplishments, crazed passion for the nation’s space mission, unmatched dedication, and the accusation that ultimately led to the biggest personal and professional setback of his life.
Nambi Narayanan, a top scientist for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, has had such an adventurous life that it begs the question of why it has taken so long for someone to produce a full-length feature film about him. R Madhavan’s directorial debut, which he also co-wrote and produced, was eventually successful after several failed attempts.

The movie takes place in flashback when Shah Rukh Khan, a superstar, listens to Nambi Narayanan (R Madhavan) tell his life story in 2014. The camera team for this lengthy interview is kicking themselves for being trapped in the studio late at night to capture a “long and boring” story of an elderly scientist. But as soon as Nambi starts speaking, everyone, even the host, is captivated by his tale.

Every part of Nambi’s journey is faithfully covered by Madhavan, including his achievements and difficulties in the workplace. The legendary Vikram Sarabhai (Rajit Kapoor), who is well aware of his prodigy, is none other than Nambi’s guru.

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Nambi accepts a full scholarship from Princeton University despite the clear discrepancy between the course of study he is provided and what he wants to pursue. Nambi, however, is not one to follow rules; instead, he finds a way to not only understand what he wants but also excel at it. So much so that, despite being given the opportunity to work for NASA, he decides to work for ISRO and do whatever it takes to further India’s space goal.

While Nambi’s job is interesting and full of obstacles, it is also very technical, and Madhavan doesn’t hesitate to confuse the viewer with scientific astronomy words and jargon.

The first half is entirely devoted to displaying different aspects of Nambi’s slightly odd personality and astral explorations, with the background score acting as a cue for us to support our hero. Sometimes the details obscure the context, forcing us to concentrate on the big picture. Although the non-linear execution is thrilling and builds suspense, it also makes things more confusing.

R Madhavan convincingly recreates Nambi Narayanan’s real life in the film. Madhavan transforms into the character whose tale he is telling, down to the way he looks and how he speaks. Shah Rukh Khan plays the part of an interviewer with heart while maintaining his signature good looks and charisma.

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He serves as a mirror of a nation’s conscience for a man who, despite all odds, committed his life to a cause. Simran as the thoughtful and respectable Meena Narayanan is a pleasant surprise. Simran’s portrayal helps to humanise Nambi’s dedication to his work and the struggles he faces. Sam Mohan stands out among the supporting players as Unni, whose character is far more developed than others.

The film’s second half is much more compelling and emotionally taxing, but the pacing is still plodding. It’s obvious that this movie is a specialised one. It offers an intriguing topic and an unknown tale of a man who was victimised for consistently standing up for his country.

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Viduthalai Part 2 movie review: Vijay Sethupathi shines in a highly sermonising story

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Viduthalai Part 2 movie review: Vijay Sethupathi shines in a highly sermonising story

Viduthalai Part 2 movie review: Vijay Sethupathi again puts up a class act with the Vetrimaaran film fails to live up to part 1.
Viduthalai Part 2 movie review: Director Vetrimaaran often portrays the underrepresented sections of society, including the poor, working class, and marginalized. His films depict the harsh realities of life, focusing on themes like caste, class divide, corruption, and systemic oppression. And while these form the core themes of his films, his characters stand out for their brilliant emotional depth and complexity. When Viduthalai Part 1 came out in 2023, it not only established Soori as a highly talented actor, but also spoke about the emergence of extremist groups and where they stem from. (Also read: Viduthalai Part 2 Twitter review: Vijay Sethupathi deserves National Award for his performance, say fans)

Viduthalai Part 2, which was released on December 20, takes off from the first part with the clash between the tribals and government forces and revolves around Perumal (Vijay Sethupathi), the leader of the extremist group Makkal Padai (People’s Army). While part 1 was about Kunaresan, this moves beyond him to the main figure in contention.

What is Viduthalai Part 2 about

The police nab Perumal, and we get told this school teacher’s back story and why he became who he is. Shaped by the communist ideology, Perumal fights for what he believes is unjust, and the director has been quite clever in showcasing empathy within the revolutionary movement as well. As the story of Perumal unfolds, there is a heavy infusion of politics and emotionally charged dialogues to make us empathise with Perumal and his fight.

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Director Vetrimaaran has also added many intricate political and social touches to the characterisations. For instance, Perumal’s wife, fellow comrade Mahalakshmi (Manju Warrier), cuts her hair short because she feels long hair would make her more fragile. We are also shown how Karuppan (Ken Karunas) bestows a name on himself. We are also shown the power play between those in power and those who are weak and how one exploits the other at will.

On the whole, Viduthalai Part 2 seems to be an ode to people like Vaathiyar aka Perumal, who stand up for a cause and the downtrodden. Perumal embraces lal salaam and, along with it, renounces many of the toxic values that society holds dear. For instance, he marries Mahalakshmi, who was married before, but he never questions her about it – it’s inconsequential to him.

What Viduthalai Part 2 lacks

While Viduthalai Part 2 has many aspects that one appreciates, it’s not as stellar as Part 1 as it gets very sermonising. In part 1, Soori’s character was beautifully crafted, and one expected to see more of him in part 2, and that was a letdown. Viduthalai Part 2 is all about Vijay Sethupathi and he has carried the film able on his shoulders. Unfortunately, Vetrimaaran, the astute writer, seemed to be missing in this film and that was disappointing. Viduthalai Part 2 carries a strong ideological theme and is another socially relevant film from Vetrimaaran.

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