Vijay Moolan speaks about the Rocketry - The Nambi Effect’s Cannes experience

Coming from a corporate background, what made you venture into the movie industry?
Varghese Moolans Group, headed by Dr. Varghese Moolan, have been predominant manufacturers and exporters of food products. Along with presence in the retail sectors, e-commerce, logistics, power generation, medical tourism, textiles, petrochemicals, men’s grooming industry, and a few more.As a 37-year-old corporate group, we aim to expand our wings to as many sectors as possible. Under the banners Varghese Moolan Pictures and Vijay Moolan Talkies, the entertainment industry has been our recent diversification because it has been an area of common interest within my family owing to our love for arts and the possibility of commercialization.
How was the Cannes experience ?
India being the ‘country of honour’ at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, we were fortunate to be selected by the Indian government for the world premiere category. My experience was nothing less than spectacular. I have to thank the Indian government for nominating Rocketry thereby making it possible at Cannes alongside the finest world cinema.
We heard about the standing ovation that Rocketry received at the world premiere at Cannes. How was the feeling?
Being present at Cannes with best of its kind world cinema alone is a recognition. As it being the first time Rocketry is premiered to a public audience, we were anxious and excited all at once. Being rewarded with a standing ovation was encouraging and overwhelming to say the least. This grand appreciation, in the presence of Padma Bhushan Nambi Narayanan whose life story the movie is based out off, added to the sweet surprise for the audience to see the reel and real Nambi together.
Did you expect such a reaction from the audience?
Expecting is one thing and it folding into a reality is another. Rocketry being Maddy’s directorial debut and how brilliantly Rocketry had shaped into, the standing ovation was well deserving for putting his heart and soul into this dream project of ours.
Rocketry is gearing up for the theatrical release on July 1. Are you excited?
Excited will be an understatement. If not for the pandemic, we would have released the movie in 2020 itself. Thanks to the great synergy and unity in thoughts among Tricolour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures and 27th Investments, as a team we were sure to hold on to this movie until the theaters opened to 100% capacity. We began the movie discussions in 2017. After 5 years of anticipation, it’s a great feeling as we are counting closer to the release date.