Cast and Crew
Language: Malayalam
Genre: Drama | Romance
Banner: Medient & Tarlac International Limited
Director: K.P Kumaran
Producer: Taizoon.F.Khorakiwala, Manu Kumaran
Story: Henrik Ibsen
Screenplay, Dialogue: K.P Kumaran
Cinematography: Santhosh Thundiyil
Art director: Sabu Cyril
Editor: Ajith Kumar
Action: Bob Wiesenger
Make up: Pattanam Rasheed
Lyrics: Rajeev Aalunkal
Music: John Altman
Release: 22 August 2008
Certification: U
Cast: Mohanlal, Nithya Menon, Bharath Gopi, Manoj K. Jayan, Sreenivasan, Geethu Mohandas, Shweta Menon
Director K.P.Kumaran's Aakashagopuram (Castle in the air), based on Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder, is perhaps the first international production in Malayalam and definitely the costliest film ever made in the language. The film's crew include some of the big names from India and abroad.
'The Master Builder' is a classic play by Ibsen, which many feels has traits of his own character and life in it. Halvard Solness, the protagonist in the classic play is an architect who is egoistic and is a megalomaniac.
Though he is regarded as the best in the business, his sole aim in life is to achieve even more and he is tormented by the fear of being eclipsed by the younger lot.
One of the best things about Aakashagopuram is its premise. The play, first published in 1892, has been made contemporary and its basic theme finds relevance even now. The focus of the story is on a hugely successful architect, Albert Samson (Mohanlal), who is often ruthless in his nature.
He is unapologetic about his deeds where he has crushed the fate of even his mentor, Abraham (Bharat Gopi), as he climbed up towards more fame and fortune.
Albert's wife Alice (Shweta Menon) lives in distress with the memories of their dead kids.
She never really expresses her anguish but her feelings are often made known by their family doctor Isaac (Sreenivasan).
Albert is not too concerned about all these and he lives with the fear of being transcended by younger talents like Abraham's son Alex (Manoj K Jayan).
He even uses Alex's fiancée Catherine (Geetu Mohandas) for his own gains. But the rather unexpected entry of a young girl, Hilda Verghese (Nitya), changes the life of Albert forever.
With picture perfect locales, top notch technicians and even some inspiring performances, Aakashagopuram is never the run-of-the-mill Malayalam film, which you can enjoy with a soft drink and a pack of pop corn in your hands. It keeps an international flavour in its making.
The story delves deep into the mind of the protagonist and unravels the various emotions of the acclaimed architect with precision. The filmmaker's creativity is evident from the fact that a 19th century classic play has been successfully transposed to the present times.
The major problem with the narration is perhaps the dialogues that seem to suit the stage more than a movie. The fact that it has been adapted from a play is evident at several junctures as well. Still, the music, the visuals and Mohanlal's performance supplement to the totality of the film in a big way.
Mohanlal, as Albert Samson, is effortless and subtle while performing his role, which has a definite shade of grey. His mannerisms, body language and definitely the looks make him perfect as the complex character that he portrays.
Debutante Nitya makes her entry in an impressive role as the svelte Hilda. The lives and feelings of the rest of the cast have been played down generally, perhaps in tune with Albert's attitude.
Aakashagopuram is not the kind of film that happens so often in Malayalam. The film may appeal to the classes but lack of commercial elements definitely pulls it down.
Tags: Aakashagopuram, Malayalam film Aakashagopuram, Malayalam movie Aakashagopuram, mohanlal film Aakashagopuram, Mohanlal, Nithya Menon, Bharath Gopi, Manoj K. Jayan, Sreenivasan, Geethu Mohandas, Shweta Menon in Aakashagopuram, Aakashagopuram photos, Aakashagopuram stills, Aakashagopuram movie pictures, Aakashagopuram film photos, Aakashagopuram film stills, Aakashagopuram posters, Aakashagopuram gallery, Aakashagopuram images, Aakashagopuram wallpapes, Aakashagopuram film images, Aakashagopuram movie details, Aakashagopuram songs, Aakashagopuram mp3 songs download, Aakashagopuram music, Aakashagopuram movie review, Aakashagopuram buy dvd, Aakashagopuram music review, Aakashagopuram movie clips, Aakashagopuram video songs, Aakashagopuram movies online, Aakashagopuram release date, Aakashagopuram story, mohanlal in Aakashagopuram, Aakashagopuram director, Aakashagopuram music director, Aakashagopuram star cast, Banner: Medient & Tarlac International Limited, Director: K.P Kumaran, Story: Henrik Ibsen, Screenplay, Dialogue: K.P Kumaran, Cinematography: Santhosh Thundiyil, Art director: Sabu Cyril, Editor: Ajith Kumar, Action: Bob Wiesenger, Make up: Pattanam Rasheed, Lyrics: Rajeev Aalunkal
Music: John Altman
