Shantaram movie and novel fan site

Shantaram is a novel of epic proportions written by Gregory David Roberts. It tells the story of his break from a Melbourne prison in Australia and escape to New Zealand followed by India where much of the novel is set. In India he lives in the slums of Bombay and opens a medal clinic. After a harrowing experience of getting caught and spending time in an Indian prison he becomes involved with the local mafia.

9th December 2007

Could Shantaram be shelved? 19 replies

Can the rumors be true? Is Shantaram the movie going to be shelved?

According to this site Depp was asking too much to do the movie.

Depp loved the novel by Gregory Roberts. He even invited the author to visit him in London. Gregory Roberts did go and meet him. Everything was going fine until Depp quoted his price. All activity related to Shantaram came to a screeching halt after that.

19 Responses to “Could Shantaram be shelved?”

christina says:
December 16th, 2007 at 8:47 pm

That’s hard to believe considering he’s also producer. He’s probably only taking a back end deal.
chandano fuller says:
January 20th, 2008 at 6:13 am

Can’t see Depp as Lindsey anyway. Perhaps someone like Tim Roth??? I ,personally, have had the experience of a westerner living in India and the book brought back many fond memories. The book was s love affair and the movie should be as well. It upsets me that, although this is the way films are made, money should enter into this.
Rajive says:
January 20th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

I loved the book, can’t wait to see the film. How about Guy Pearce. He’s an Aussi and a powerful actor too.
Kathie says:
January 21st, 2008 at 5:45 pm

I also loved this book and will be very sad if the essence of India (so brilliantly portrayed) is lost in translation. Personally when I heard Depp was going to be involved it gave me hope. I think he would do a great job playing Lindsey. I just hope that whoever directs and gets this role truly understands all the wonderful insights into India that make this one of the best books I’ve read.
Rohan says:
January 26th, 2008 at 4:26 am

According to imdb and wikipeidia the movie has been shelved on account of the writers guild of America strike
Gerry says:
February 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am

WGA is an excuse. Shelved until Jan 09…due various reasons, not discussible here. Thats the word from the horse…
Yolanda says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 am

I sincerely hope that all this is just that – TALK – and that the movie will be made. This book is something different and anyone who has been to India, especially Mumbai, can relate to the places visited by the author, or the lead character, Linsay. Lets hope Johnny has second thoughts and gets this mjovie off to a start
Jacqueline says:
March 1st, 2008 at 10:12 am

Johnny Depp has answered this question directly during an interview, where he stated that production was on hold due to the writers guild strike. You can watch this interview on YouTube. Not sure about the guidelines regarding links here; you can type the words, “Johnny Depp Candid about Shantaram” in the search field on the YouTube homepage, and you should be able to view the interview for yourself.
Bilkis says:
March 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pm

i love the book and think Johnny Depp is a brilliant choice for Linbaba…. i was, however, upset that Amitab Bachchan was selected to star in the film too…. i think hes way too commercial and totally the wrong choice!! a new actor or someone with a lower profile in Bollywood would have been a better choice!! for this reason, im actually glad the film might not go ahead… it would have ruined the book for me!

x
Saj Ebrahim says:
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 am

I too loved the book and was sad when it ended. Although I think Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor – I personally think that he does not fit the profile of Linbaba. I also agree that Amitabh Bhachan is the absolute wrong choice for the role of Kader Khan – he is too commercial and in every second movie these days. When I was reading the book then another Kader Khan came to mind as being the perfect actor for this role – the real life Bollywood actor – though maybe he is a little too old. As much as I loved the young Bachans movies – he will totally ruin Shantaram for me.
Irene says:
July 15th, 2008 at 12:52 am

I think the book is a masterpiece with all the incredients to completely mesmerize the reader. The only person I could possibly imagine in the role of Linbaba is Russell Crowe. He has the talent and
ability, the look -like Gladiator-and perhaps a better understanding to become Linbaba.(I think Depp is an incredible actor, but just not right for this role.)
Andre Benoit says:
April 20th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor but I simply cannot picture him as Lin – he’s too scrawny to begin with. In the indian prison, Lin is supposed to lose a ton of weight; how could Depp ever pull that off without looking like a Holocaust victim. Besides, to be credible, the character of Lin must be played by someone with enough physical build to make us believe that he can be lethal. The best actor for the part would be none other than James Bond himself – Daniel Craig.
Austin M says:
May 24th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

Shantaram is a riveting story. Roberts is a dedicated writer who expertly allows circumstance to evolve characters and develop plots. The swirling humanity of Bombay’s population is poignantly juxtaposed by the slum clinic where Linbaba learns once again that it is painful to love and absurd not to, immersed, as he was, in all the minutia of community and character inherent in this happy slum. The recurrent ‘criminal on the run’ theme threads through the often pastoral narrative. This movie has enormous cinemagraphic scope and we can only hope the director recognises the potential.
As for Depp, he might suprise us all. Still, Crowe casts well,is a believable criminal, and capable of taking beatings (Depp looks too frail for such massive beatings). Slumdog, although a fabulous film, simply can’t compare to a properly cast and produced Shantaram. Also, I hope Madonna isn’t sucking-up to the role of Karla, who I think would be well served by Scarlett Johanson or her type. Casting aside, whoever directs this will have a tough time intertwining the philosophic sandbars in the story flow of the book. Lindsey embraces a sort of benign detachment regardless of circumstance that is ultimately heroic. He is above or below, sneaking around, taking great risks as he etches out an underworld living while concurrently providing free health care in a slum. I can’t wait, folks, hurry TFU, get er goin’!
Melanie says:
May 29th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

I loved this book. MOST important question is who will portray the heartbreaking Prabaker? This character shattered me with his open heart. What a great person/character! I think Guy Pearce would make a better Linbaba than Depp, but I like Depp’s work also. Just make the movie already.
Allie says:
June 6th, 2009 at 5:57 pm

Russell Crowe? He’d ruin it for me. I thought Johnny Depp was the perfect choice as I had pictured Lin as being very scrawny but with wiry strength. Madonna as Carla????? Hahahahahaha! Ugh! Karla was young and attractive. I picture her as someone dark and mysterious.
What an amazing book this is to be sure.
metty says:
September 14th, 2009 at 6:46 am

russel crow? no way! – that has to be a joke. crow is too ugly and uncouth.

depp would be good, so would guy pierce.

if the movie is 10% the fantasic journey the book was, then it will a great movie!

hurry up and make it please!
Ben says:
October 1st, 2009 at 10:22 pm

Being a Melbourne boy myself, I believe all those people who suggested Russell Crowe for the role of Lin were spot-on and I personally cant believe no one thought of him before. ok, i get Depp is a wonderful actor (and yes, he’s very pretty and complicated) but Lin (and lets face it, Roberts) obviously sees himself as a tough guy. That being said, Crowe is also a fairly multi-dimensional character and could at least pull off looking like Lin. Wats more, there was talk that Depp was apparently drawing supposed comparisons between Captain Jack and Lin? did he even read the book..?

As for the director I think it would have been nice if Gurinder Chadha (Bend it like Beckham, Slumdog, etc) had been considered. Think she’d give it all the colour it deserves without too much of the B’wood overacting and melodrama.

Also not sure why no one seems concered about who gets to play Abdulla? This is such an important role and a well cast actor would have the potential to steal the show.. any suggestions people..??
Q says:
January 29th, 2010 at 8:43 pm

personally i think most Australians have completely overlooked Guy Pearce. There could be great actors staged around him but the only Linbaba could be Pearce. Unfortunately most people do not realise how amazing and diverse Pearce is. Much better than Crowe could of been in this role.
I wish Depp the best and hope he will play the role true with the physical prescence and pasion for the role
Chris says:
July 4th, 2010 at 4:05 am

i’m reading the book now and i love it =) i wonder who will play prabaker?

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9th December 2007

Could Shantaram be shelved? 19 replies

19 Responses to “Could Shantaram be shelved?”

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