Mumbai: Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, an inspired life account of senior Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan, is more than just a movie to set the record straight about the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).

For actor R Madhavan, who plays Narayanan in the flick, it is quite a leap of faith since he has also donned the director's hat for the flick. Not an easy task if you check out the first look of Madhavan, who reportedly spent 14 hours on the makeup chair to look like the scientist. 

 

While the resemblance is uncanny, the image has now become a certified lol-worthy meme courtesy witty netizens. Most of them have used it to describe funny before and after situations. Meanwhile, Maddy seems to be taking the memes in his stride and even retweeted a collection of such memes mentioned in an article. Take a look at some of our favourite ones. 

 

 

The movie is based on a true story of senior Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan and the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). India beat Russia and America with their maiden attempt with this mission at a lower cost but the teaser piques your curiosity when Madhavan playing Nambi says, "What if I say we could have achieved this accomplishment twenty years ago?" 

It concludes with an ominous dialogue, "I spent 35 years in rocketry and 50 days in prison. My nation paid the price of those 50 days and this story is about that. It’s not about me."

The real-life Nambi was charged with espionage in 1994. However, CBI dismissed the charges against him in 1996 and in 1998, and the Supreme Court declared him not guilty. 

 Also read: Humiliation to Nambi Narayanan: Rs 50 lakh not sufficient, honour ISRO scientist with Padma award, says MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar