Sarbh: Rocketing up

"Rami Malek got to play Freddie Mercury. I wasn’t about to let anyone else get to (Dr) Homi Bhabha first,” wrote actor Jim Sarbh on his Instagram (IG) page @jimsarbhforreal on June 24, 2021. "Luckily, Abhay Pannu, my director, agreed with me,” he told Parsiana on June 30. The actor will essay the role of nuclear physicist Bhabha, known as the father of the Indian nuclear program, on the streaming platform SonyLIV’s show Rocket Boys. Actor Ishwak Singh will play the role of physicist Dr Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of the Indian space program. In his IG post, Sarbh was alluding to American actor Malek’s role in the biopic of another Parsi, pop music superstar Freddie Mercury (see "Sanitized superstar,” Parsiana, December 21, 2018)!

"Taking on the role of Homi Bhabha is extremely special, partly because of our shared Parsi heritage, but mostly because of the interesting, driven, Renaissance man he was,” Sarbh told the Hindustan Times on June 23. In a statement to the newspaper he commented that Bhabha’s "dedication to scientific process and discovery, not least of which are his legacy of world class scientific institutions, his notes on art and culture, and his ability to have a good laugh, make him a delicious character to play. It is a privilege to play him, and to be a part of this wonderfully researched and written show.”
Stating that he found Bhabha and Sarabhai "fascinating,” the 33-year-old added they were "two young men with fantastical dreams for their country, who just kept at it… to bring their visions into reality, to make their country a scientific superpower. And all the while, through toil and trouble, they managed to have colorful exuberant lives, as well!”
The actor made his debut in films playing the antagonist in the biographical drama Neerja and has been seen in movies like A Death in the Gunj (2016) and the period drama Padmaavat (2018), among others, as well as in stage performances.
According to news reports, Rocket Boys, whose release date is yet to be announced, is created by filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, Roy Kapur Films and Emmay Entertainment. "Get ready for a story that continues to inspire generations. Bringing to you the tale of two of our most renowned scientists...really soon!” posted the Instagram handle roykapurfilms. F. J.