Aakashagopuram.... Malayalam Film Goes Global

thakks4u

It was proud moments for malayalam film when d red carpet premiere of aakashagopram was presented in front of many well known clebretries, in ernakulam saritha......
filimworld.com reported that many film personalities lyk sreedevi, booney kappor etc were present there....

Many prominent film personalities from the Malluwood attended the function. To add more glamour to the show there were many foreigners including the music director John Altman and family. From Bollywood, actress Sreedevi and her producer husband Boney Kapoor attended the function. The whole of the procedures seemed like a premiere of a Hollywood film.

While talking to the media Mohanlal said it’s his luck to get the opportunity to act in such a film. There were lots of challenges for them to shoot a film on Ibsen’s play. The actor also said that the film was shot carefully without dropping the dramatic mood of the film even in a single shot.

The prominent Malayalam film personalities who attended the function include Siby Malayil, Amal Neerad, Shaji Kailas, Maniyan Pilla Raju and Vijayaraghavan along with the director of the movie K P Kumaran. The heroine of the movie, Nithya was also seen for a public function for the first time. The Medient and Tarlac representatives were also attended the preview.

thakks4u · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject:

the filimworld crew was also able to watch the premiere along with these personalities.... here is ther review.....

KP Kumaran’s “Aakasha Gopuram” is a very faithful adaptation of the epic play “The Master Builder” by Henric Ibsen. Having made headlines much before the release, with the international crew associated with the project, it lives up to the expectations to the fullest. The movie in itself will be quite an experience to the common Malayalee audience in many respects. Moving away from conventional methods of story telling, Aakasha Gopuram is a movie that winds up in one hour and forty five minutes. KP Kumaran has done a commendable effort in making the movie crisp and effective and most importantly not compromising for the commercial aspects or the star value of the cast.

The story unfolds before you in London and through the life of Albert Samson, the renowned architect. Beginning his career as an understudy to the then leading architect Abrahim Thomas, played by Bharath Gopi, Samson grows tall in due course of time. Hunger for success kills the ethics in Samson, and he does not shy away from even pulling down his mentor, to grow up the ladder. Many such competitors were crushed by hook or crook, but Samson’s name stood tall. A master in constructing churches, it was his custom to climb up the church and perform a dedication ceremony once the construction is completed.

It has been 10 years since Albert has given up churches and the insecurity of the upcoming generations haunt him. His master Abrahim is now in death bed and his final wish is to see his son Alex (Manoj K Jayan) become an independent builder. Alex who works with Samson, is not given the go ahead by the later, who even woos Catherine (Geethu Mohandas), who is Alex’s fiance, to stop him from breaking away. Shwetha Menon plays Alice, the better half of Albert who is being treated for mental depression by the doctor played by Sreenivasan. The narrative then takes us on an intriguing flash back which unfolds the past of Albert Samson and his relation with the heroine Hilda who is brought to life by Nithya.

Mohanlal has given a performance of his life as Albert Samson. He thoroughly lives the role and portrays the internal tussle between the beast and the man within him. A man of many faces, Albert Samson is at times brutal, at times a man who is deeply worried by the fear of losing out. The sequences of him and Alice would definitely leave a mark on the viewer. The body language and mannerisms that Mohanlal brings out is a treat to watch, and is perfectly suited to Albert Samson. During moments of silence, Albert Samson speaks through his eyes and even fingers.

The heroine played by Nithya has matched the master in most of the occasions. Playing a dreamy girl who later grows in to a considerable influence in Samson’s life, Nithya can be proud of her efforts. Not to forget the master craftsman in Bharath Gopi, he powerfully portrays the character of the once dominant but then cheated and finally a wishful father in his deathbed to perfection. This legend is a true miss to Malayalam cinema. Geethu Mohandas, Shwetha Menon, Manoj K Jayan and Sreenivasan- all have given their best and could be well proud of being part of this epic movie.

Akasha Gopuram will undoubtedly be the most technically sound Malayalam movie we have ever seen. The involvement of the international crew stands out in editing, music and back ground score. The sequence which takes you to the past of Samson has never been seen before in our industry. John Altman would bring in tunes and scores which are totally unconventional but soothing. Frames by Santhosh Thundiyil are a treat to our eyes and they are truly refreshing.

If one has to find any fault with Aakasha Gopuram, one could say that the dialogues and the style of its presentation that has been used by KP Kumaran, at times slips a bit far in to the theatrical style. We cannot blame it on the director because he has two choices of making this movie- one in a truly commercial way and the other as a truthful silver screen presentation of one of the greatest Norwegian plays. He has chosen the second way which was a gutsy decision. KP Kumaran deserves accolades for his sincere efforts in churning out this movie so impressively.

sajithtg · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

I just came back after the second show of Aakashagopuram in the Saitha theatre, Ernakulam. I booked tickets online by paying additional Rs 15 per ticket for my entire family, thinking that I am taking them for a great movie. The movie had big hypes and publicity, as if a Hollywood movie is being released. I had a lot of expectations considering the cast, director, music etc.

Unfortunately, I am completely disappointed with this movie, and the makers of this movie have literally failed to depict a great classic novel in the form of a movie. The key failure factor in this movie is the screenplay, which sounds mostly “bookish” and always gives a feel of dramatic movies of 60’s or 70’s. (That in a way is expected from a director of that era!). There is an attempt to create this movie in a similar way that M.T. Vasudevan Nair has crafted many of our great movies like Perumthachan, Ente Janakikkuttikku, Sukrutham etc. But the script and the flow of this movie are so bad and it’s beyond any common man’s tolerance level.

I am sure, whoever is praising this movie including our well known critics, are doing it just because there is highly respected team behind this movie including a veteran director, a great star, and Mathrubhumi group. But, I am forced to say that it’s a BIG BIG flop, and Malayalam film industry wouldn’t have seen such a messy failure in the recent past!

I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anybody else!