| Aakasha Gopuram | |
| Director: | K. P. Kumaran |
| Screenplay: | K. P. Kumaran |
| Music: | John Altman |
| Cinematography: | Santosh Thundiyil |
| Editing: | B. Ajithkumar |
| Studio: | Medient & Tarlac |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Malayalam |
Aakasha Gopuram (Castle in the Air) is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by K. P. Kumaran. It is a cinematic adaptation of Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen's 1892 play The Master Builder.
The film stars Mohanlal, Nithya Menen, Bharath Gopi, Manoj K. Jayan, Sreenivasan, Geetu Mohandas, and Shwetha Menon.[1] Santosh Thundiyil handled the cinematography of the film, while British composer John Altman composed the music. The lyrics were written by Rajeev Alunkal.
The film received a positive response from critics, and the music was praised by the audience.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Akasha Gopuram is set among the Indian immigrant community in London and tells the story of Albert Samson, a middle-aged architect who has clawed his way to prominence. His single-minded focus on his job, however, has hardened him and prevented him and his wife, Alice, from having a meaningful family life. The costs of Samson's ambition are also symbolized in his assistant, Abraham Thomas, Samson's former employer whom he treated badly to reach the top. Thomas, now dying, wants his son, Alex, to have more independence in the firm. Samson, however, fears that he will be eclipsed by a younger generation of architects and neither allows Alex to design original houses nor leave the firm and strike out on his own.
Into this tense situation, enter Hilda Varghese, a vivacious young woman who idolized Samson ten years ago when, in the early stages of his career, he built a large church in her hometown and climbed to the top of its tower during its dedication ceremony. At that time Samson had promised "a kingdom" to Hilda, then a girl of twelve; now, Hilda who earnestly believes his word has come to collect her kingdom.
As Samson struggles with the destructive consequences of his pursuit of glory and his growing fear that he has lost his creative powers, the mysterious Hilda helps him gain a glimpse of his former self.
The film marked the official Malayalam and acting debut of actress Nithya Menen. About her casting in the film, Nithya Menon, in an interview with Rediff said, "It happened very strangely and was almost like destiny. I was in the middle of my 12th exams when I had appeared on the cover of a tourism book. Mohanlal saw the picture and I got a call from the film's director. He talked to me and I was selected for the role. Everything happened very quickly."[7]
It had a premiere in Kochi.[8] It was selected for the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India.[9]