India's prime minister Narendra Modi has applauded his nation's low-cost space program, saying the rocket that launched four foreign satellites into orbit cost less to make than the Hollywood film Gravity.

The Indian-made Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) blasted off Monday morning carrying satellites from France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.

"I have heard about the film Gravity. I am told the cost of sending an Indian rocket to space is less than the money invested in making the Hollywood movie," Mr Modi said.

He believes India's low-cost service could make waves in the $2.3 billion satellite-launch industry.

"India has the potential to be the launch service provider of the world and must work towards this goal," Mr Modi said.

The budget of the Oscar-winning 2013 sci-fi thriller, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is estimated to be about $US100 million.

India last year launched its bid to become the first Asian nation to reach Mars, with a mission whose price tag was the envy of space programs world-wide.

The total cost at $78 million was less than a sixth of the $484 million earmarked for a Mars probe launched shortly afterwards by US space agency NASA.

Modi says the country should be proud of its space program, developed in the face of "great international pressure and hurdles".

People watching as India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle blasts off, April 4, 2014

AFP