Madhavan turns to Aamir Khan for fitness tips to play scientist in biopic

Actor R Madhavan has reportedly signed on to play a scientist in an upcoming biopic on the controversial ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan. Speaking to the daily Times of India, Madhavan said that he will be portraying the life of the scientist from the age of 25 to 75. To get into the phsyical challenge of the role, the actor is turning to his perfectionist friend, Aamir Khan. 

As the role demands the actor to put on weight to play the older parts, Madhavan has turned to his Rang De Basanti (2006) co-star, Aamir Khan for some tips. Madhavan said, "The prep is taking me through different age groups, shapes, and sizes. I have to put on weight to play the character in his older days, and I consulted Aamir for tips. He told me it's better to do the heavier parts first so that I'm compelled to lose all the weight I put on."

Madhavan added, "It's a biopic of a rocket scientist. I will be seen playing the protagonist in different stages of his life, from the age of 27 to 75. I am not at liberty to reveal anything more." 

However, the daily Hyderabad Times suggested that the actor is set to play Nambi Narayanan, the ISRO scientist who was accused of espionage in 1994. Narayanan was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 1998. The scientist is credited for introducing the liquid fuel rocket technology in the 1970s while in charge of ISRO's cryogenics division. 

The report also suggests that Anant Mahadevan is speculated to direct the bilingual biopic. Mahadevan had reportedly developed the script based on his recent meeting with the scientist. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was earlier approached for the role, but he could not accept the project due to schedule issues. 

Nambi Narayanan was accused of leaking flight test data of satellite space flights to foreign spies. The scientist was arrested, alongwith a colleague, and placed under 50 days of police custody. However, the charges proved to be false and were thrown out by the Supreme Court. 

This is the second film that has Madhavan play a scientist. He will be playing a test pilot in Chanda Mama Door Ke, which traces the journey of India's space programme until the first Indian astronaut landing on the moon.