Aakashagopuram/Castle in the air

Director : K.P. Kumaran
Country : India
Running Time: 135 mins

Akasha Gopuram (Castle in the air) A film in Malayalam by K P Kumaran. Set in an imaginery town in Akasha Gopuram 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 private life. The costs of Samsons ambition are also symbolized in his assistant, Abrahim Thomas, Samson's former employer whom he "scalped" 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 refuses to allow Alex either to design original houses or to leave the firm and strike out on his own. Into this tension comes Hilda Varghese, a vivacious young woman who has idolized Samson since ten years before, when, in the early stages of his career, he had built a large church in her hometown and climbed to the top of its tower during its dedication ceremony. While in town, Samsons had promised Hilda, then a girl of twelve, "a kingdom"; now, Hilda says earnestly, she has come to collect her kingdom.

K.P. Kumaran

K P Kumaran started his film career as an active member of the Chitralekha Film Society and co-scripting their first production Swayamvaram with Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He made his debut with the documentary Rock in 1972, which was critically acclaimed internationally. Athithi was his first feature film.His major films include Rugmini (winner of the 1989 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam), Thenthulli, Laxmivijayam and Thottam.

Rating : 5.0/10