Rocket Driver – An Ambitious Journey That Misses the Mark
Plot Summary Sriram Ananthashankar’s Rocket Driver presents an intriguing concept centered around Prabha, an auto driver with big ambitions but an embittered outlook on life. Played by Vishvath, Prabha is a man who quit his science degree due to financial pressure and now navigates life by driving an auto, feeling increasingly disconnected and dismissive of the people around him. His frustration is palpable, and a quirky feature of his character is his habit of mentally constructing scathing scenarios where he berates those who annoy him.
The narrative takes a surreal turn when Prabha meets a teenager who appears to have been transported from 1948 – a young APJ Abdul Kalam (played by Naga Vishal). This encounter sets the stage for an exploration of contrasting ideals: Kalam embodies both the external achievements and internal virtues that Prabha yearns for but doesn’t fully understand. The inclusion of Kalam opens the door for social commentary, humorous exchanges, and philosophical musings on ambition, purpose, and simplicity.
Concept and Themes The core idea behind Rocket Driver is fascinating. By juxtaposing a real-life icon like Kalam against the disillusioned Prabha, the film creates a unique dynamic that speaks to the larger questions of life’s meaning and the false equivalencies of success. Prabha sees Kalam as a symbol of everything he wishes to achieve, yet the teenage Kalam’s demeanor represents the simplicity and humility that Prabha has overlooked in his pursuit of grandiosity. This contrast is ripe for both humor and reflection, especially as Kalam navigates the modern world with his 1940s mindset, leading to moments of surprise and confusion.
One of the film’s strengths is its light-hearted take on this situation. The humor emerges naturally from the absurdity of the scenario, particularly in scenes where Kalam, unaware of how much time has passed, runs into old acquaintances now in their 90s, and moments like Prabha trying to force Kalam to sleep on a bus ride to Rameshwaram, hoping it might magically take him back to his time.
Missed Potential However, despite its clever premise, Rocket Driver falters in execution. The pacing is notably slow, unfolding at a leisurely pace that sometimes drags, particularly when compared to the high-energy films that dominate contemporary cinema. While this unhurried rhythm is intentional, meant to align with the film’s thematic simplicity, it risks losing audience engagement.
The bigger flaw lies in the lack of emotional and dramatic depth. Bringing a character like Kalam into the present day should have been an opportunity for rich exploration – of science, of history, of personal growth – but the film doesn’t fully capitalize on it. Kalam, as a character, remains largely passive and quiet, which feels at odds with his inquisitive, innovative nature. The film misses the chance to delve into his reactions to the future, his curiosity about his legacy, or his potential desire to return to his own time. Instead, Kalam feels more like a plot device than a fully realized character, which undermines the emotional weight the story could have carried.
Character Performances Vishvath delivers a solid performance as Prabha, his perpetually irritated expression matching the character’s frustration with life. His portrayal captures the nuances of a man who feels like he’s been dealt a poor hand but is too wrapped up in his own cynicism to see the way out. Sunainaa, who plays Prabha’s friend, offers a comforting presence, though her role is underutilized. More screen time or deeper involvement in the plot could have enhanced the emotional stakes. Naga Vishal’s portrayal of Kalam has its charm, though it’s hampered by the limited material given to him.
Direction and Execution Director Sriram Ananthashankar presents a story that is simple and introspective, but the minimal drama and slow pacing detract from what could have been a more engaging narrative. The emotional middle portion of the film feels flat, with moments that should carry weight feeling stale. The background score, which tries hard to compensate for the lack of tension, often feels overbearing.
Final Thoughts While Rocket Driver has a unique concept and moments of genuine humor, it fails to fully realize its potential. The film touches on important themes of ambition and simplicity but doesn’t delve deep enough into them. With a more dynamic portrayal of Kalam and a tighter narrative, this film could have soared. Instead, it merely nudges forward, leaving the audience wishing for more.
Verdict Quote: A clever concept that sputters instead of soaring, Rocket Driver offers charming moments but ultimately lacks the emotional and narrative thrust to take off.
Rocket Driver Cast & Crew Details
Vishvath as Prabha
Sunainaa as Kamal
Naga Vishal as APJ Abdul Kalam
Kathadi Ramamurthy as Shastri
Jagan as Ananda Coomarasamy
Ramachandran Durairaj as Savari muthu
Written & Directed By Sriram Ananthashankar
Music: Kaushik Krish
Producer: Anirudh Vallabh
Banner: Stories By The Shore
Cinematographer: Regimel Surya Thomas
Editor: Iniyavan Pandiyan
Costume Designer: Shilpa Iyer
Production Designer: Prem Karunthamalai
Co-Writer: Akshay Poolla
Dialog Writer: Prasanth S
Production Executive: Selvendran
Creative Producer: Yuvaraj BV
Pro: Sri Venkatesh
Publicity Designer: Sree Hari Charan
Promotional Creatives: Smbcreation & Manibharathi Selvaraj
