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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.

23rd February 2009

Shantaram could be the next slumdog millionaire 13 replies

Slumdog Millionaire, the movie that has surprised everyone around the world with its international success has won eight Oscars.

Slumdog Millionaire has certainly created a benchmark for movies set in India. I wonder if producers of Shantaram are now thinking whether their movie will enjoy a similar success. There is no doubt if Shantaram is produced any time soon or the near future, it will be compared to Slumdog Millionaire.

13 Responses to “Shantaram could be the next slumdog millionaire”

  1. ross mckenry says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 11:08 am

    loved the book. What is happening with the movie?

    Is it still going ahead?

    Regards

    Ross McKenry

  2. Graeme says:
    October 5th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    I hope they make the movie… it is a magical novel – so deep and engaging…

    - Graeme
    (in Australia)

  3. adele says:
    October 7th, 2009 at 6:59 am

    The story of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has nothing to do with that masterpiece of book that is ‘Shantaram’. It is a very superficial point of view to tell that they will surely be compared. If it happens it means that the Westerners (because it will be a western comparison for sure) share thoughts profoud as “All Chineses have almond shaped eyes” or “At night time all the cows are black”.

  4. Austin Maloney says:
    November 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    I have recently reread Shantaram and can’t see how anyone reading it would equate it with Slumdog, outside of both sharing India and a massive dose of humanity. They have the slums in common but are narratively dissimilar and thematically different. Give the bony Depp credit for wanting the role, but since he’s paranoid of the Mumbai slums (prefering Mexico city???) he should have the moral fiber to bug off. The recent James Bond dude would be better cast in the role than Depp. Casting Prabaker will be challenging as well. I remember Frank Norris’ epic Greed, produced/directed by Eric Von Strohiem, was originally ten (10) hours long and, for genuine realism, had actors crawling around Death Valley for some difficult scenes (for days)…nobody today could endure that level of realism, yet it is precisely what this flick will require to do the novel justice. It is amazing this book has never made it to the best seller list, in spite of some questionable stretches of the reader’s imagination (a good book always does, eh?).
    I hope they wait until casting is perfected before filming. What’s the hurry?

  5. Kathleen Shannon says:
    November 15th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    I loved Slumdog and I read Q & A afterwards, which I loved as well, although the stories really differed a lot. Shantaram is an epic and much more spiritual. It really should be a HBO mini-series. They need 9 to 15 hours to portray this novel well through film. Or maybe I just don’t want the story to ever end. Of course, the unique and beautiful phrases of Greg Robert’s writing cannot be shown in the movie.

    I don’t agree with Helena Bonham Carter in the film. She always plays a nutcase and she is too old. Unless she plays Madam Zhou–perfect! They need a fresh new young face for Karla–and Lisa Carter, too. Good luck in your attempt. It is very much appreciated! Namaste, Kathleen

  6. Margie says:
    January 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    I’m only one-sixth of the way into the novel and in love with it. While a visual representation of the story would be incredible I agree with the previous comment that the art and passion and wisdom behind the author’s words will get lost in a film. Please keep us posted anyways!

  7. Tam says:
    January 13th, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    The genius of the book lies in the flowery descriptions and it’s simplifications of extremely diverse range of human based philosophy into easy to understand morsels. It’s such a literary joy ride that a canny director is left with only two choices:

    Disappoint the die hard fans of the novel and focus on simply the narrative, and attempt to tell what (for a film) is a incredibly complex and bumpy tale. It will not bring the same emotions that the book has evoked in so many.

    Or be original. Great films that have made us leave the theatre thinking are rarely based on books. As any director will tell you the goal is not to tell a story, but to show a story. Shanataram is a tale in the most marvellous sense. The film (in my opinion) would be best to try and instead focus on the themes, and the general feeling of the novel to create something new.

    As for the comparison to Slumdog, the two have no relation save the significance they will play for India.

  8. JP says:
    February 11th, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    There are serious problems with making the movie. I suspect it will be years before everything gets ironed out. Oh well.

  9. Ashleigh says:
    March 30th, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    I loved the book and do u guys know if they actually make a movie or scrap it all together

  10. Miguel de la rocka says:
    April 6th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    I really love the book it touch me in my destiny.

    But it should’t be any famous American actor for the movie,It will just destroy the good story.

    my vote go for Australian Hugh Jackman as Linbaba.

  11. Stein Bai says:
    May 7th, 2010 at 12:44 am

    The book is a big success, I’m looking forward to the movie.

  12. chaz says:
    June 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    amazing book engages ones whole being through out the entire story. as far as movie goes i tend to agree tam’s comements. if had to pick a director/writer i would go for alejandro gonzález iñárritu. to me his films such as Amores Perros 21 grammes and babel share a similar richness and depth as Gregory David Roberts Shantaram – a spiritualality that permeates through it’s narrative.

  13. Denise Peters says:
    July 16th, 2010 at 7:51 am

    I’m trying to find out if the writers are back @ work and why Shantaram isn’t going ahead. Miss Nair,a crowd of us devotees here in the outbacks of South Africa will do the screen play for free. We’re so desperate to see the movie.!!!!!

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