Mohanlal to star in screen adaptation of 'The Master Builder'

NEW DELHI: Popular Malayalam actor Mohanlal is starring in the screen adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's classic drama 'The Master Builder' directed by veteran filmmaker K P Kumaran.

The movie, titled 'Akashagopuram', is a contemporary Malayalam adaptation of the 1892 drama and is being shot in various locations in London. It is also a tribute to the great playwright on the 100th anniversary of his death.

"It is an unusual movie in an unusual format capturing the trauma and inner conflicts of the protagonist Harvard Solness, an architect," played by Lal, Kumaran said here.

However, Kumaran says the role was a challenge to the national award winning actor. "It was a challenge to him and to everyone else associated with the movie to remake the drama in the changed world."

Akashagopuram boasts of an impressive cast in national award winner Gopi and noted actor Sreenivasan. The movie's music and background score was done by British composer John Altman.

While national award winner Sabu Cyril is the art director, Ajit Kumar takes care of editing and Santhosh Thondiyil will pan the camera.

Kumaran, who started his film career in early seventies as a member of the Chitralekha Film Society and co-scripting their first production Swayamvaram with Adoor Gopalakrishnan, has directed movies like Athithi and Thotram, which has won criticial acclaim.