Comments on: Shantaram could be the next slumdog millionaire

By: Tam

Tam — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:33:39 +0000

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.

By: Margie

Margie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:45:05 +0000

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!

By: Kathleen Shannon

Kathleen Shannon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:32:54 +0000

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

By: Austin Maloney

Austin Maloney — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:36:33 +0000

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?

By: adele

adele — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:59:50 +0000

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”.

By: Graeme

Graeme — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:37:38 +0000

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

- Graeme
(in Australia)

By: ross mckenry

ross mckenry — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:08:21 +0000

loved the book. What is happening with the movie?

Is it still going ahead?

Regards

Ross McKenry