SRIHARIKOTA (ANDHRA PRADESH): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised the cost-effective nature of Indian space programme, saying the country's Mars mission had reportedly cost less than the big budget Hollywood science fiction "Gravity".

In his address after witnessing the successful launch of the PSLV C23 rocket that injected five foreign satellites into intended orbit from here, he also traced the humble beginnings of the country's space history while pointing out the rapid strides it has made today.

He said he had seen photos of rocket cones being transported on bicycles, saying he was surprised at such sights.

"All the credit to goes to you scientists. Even today our programme stands out as most cost effective. There is this story of our Mars mission costing less than Hollywood movie Gravity. I have heard that Mars mission's expense is lesser than Gravity. Our scientists have shown the world a new paradigm of engineering and the power of imagination," he said.

Mangalyaan, India's interplanetary project was launched in November 2013 at an estimated cost of US$ 72 million while the superhit English movie starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney was reportedly made at an estimated US$ 100 million.