Mohanlal Mesmerises Oslo Audience at Aakashagopuram Screening at Historic Ibsen Museum

It was a night to remember at the Ibsen Museum and Theatre in Oslo, as Mohanlal’s commanding performance in Aakashagopuram left the audience deeply moved. Presented in this iconic venue where Henrik Ibsen spent his final years, the special screening brought together Norwegian theatre enthusiasts, Indian film lovers, diplomats, media, and members of the Indian community in a unique cross-cultural celebration. The event was organised by the Embassy of India, Oslo, in tribute to Ibsen’s enduring legacy.

Directed by JC Daniel Award winner K. P. Kumaran, Aakashagopuram reimagines Ibsen’s deeply psychological play The Master Builder in the world of Indian immigrants in London, with Mohanlal portraying the tormented architect, Albert Samson.

Speaking at the post screening discussion, K. P. Kumaran shared his reflections on adapting the legendary playwright’s work:

“Ibsen’s work transcends language, culture, and geography. Adapting The Master Builder was the greatest tribute I could offer to a playwright who has profoundly inspired my creative journey. And Mohanlal brought that vision to life with extraordinary depth and restraint.”

Produced by Manu Kumaran for Mediente Films, Aakashagopuram was released in 2008 to critical acclaim and remains a landmark in Indian cinema. It was the most expensive Malayalam film at the time, shot and post-produced entirely in the United Kingdom. The ensemble cast also includes Bharat Gopi, Sreenivasan, Manoj K. Jayan, Geethu Mohandas, Nithya Menon, and Shweta Menon.

The film’s technical excellence was evident in its international collaboration: BAFTA and Emmy-winning composer John Altman scored the music, while post-production was led by Nigel Holland, Robert Farr, and Matthew Gough. Visual effects were delivered by John Harvey and Jonathan Trussler, known for their work on Kingdom of Heaven.

The screening was followed by a thought-provoking panel on Henrik Ibsen’s influence on Indian literature and cinema, moderated by Benedicte Berntzen (Theatre Section, National Library of Norway), with insights from Ellen Rees (Centre for Ibsen Studies), Erik Henning Edvardsen (Ibsen Museum & Theatre), and Ivo de Figueiredo (historian and biographer).

This event was part of the Indian film promotion in Norway, supported by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, a celebration of cultural convergence where Norwegian literary legacy met Indian cinematic storytelling.