AakashaGopuram is an adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen Master Builder
A Film in Malayalam by renowned Indian film maker K.P.Kumaran, AakashaGopuram
is set in London among the Indian immigrant community and tells the
story of Albert Samcon (Mohanlal), 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 Allice(Swetha Menon) from having a meaningful
private life. The costs of Samson's ambition are also symbolized in
his assistant, Abraham Thomas(Bharat Gopi), Samson's former employer
whom he "scalped" to reach the top. Thomas, now dying, wants
his son Alex (Manoj K Jayan) 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 (Nithya), 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,
Samson had promised Hilda, then a girl of twelve, "a kingdom";
now, Hilda says earnestly, she has come to collect her kingdom.
As Samson struggles with the destructive consequences of his monomaniacal
pursuit and his growing fear that he has lost his creative powers, the
mysterious Hilda helps him again a glimpse of his former robust self.
Known for his deep commitment to female empowerment through his films,
K. P. Kumaran in AkashaGopuram paints an intriguing portrait of one
man's consuming desire for success.