Shantaram Forum

In a recent update to his personal website, Gregory David Roberts has released an eye-opening essay on the architecture of his novel Shantaram, which you can go and read by visiting Greg’s website at this link, or by downloading a more readable PDF version.

Of the most interesting revelations are the allegorical texts applied to the novel, and the application of no less than 22 layers to the structure of the novel. Some of these prove to be interesting for the fact that they tell just how Greg worked the multi-faceted parts of the novel together, using simple, but highly effective methods to engage the reader in the ‘exile experience’ that the novel explores. Greg further elaborated on the themes of the novel, and goes into detail on how the trilogy works a whole.

The surprising element of this essay is in fact that despite its revealing nature it doesn’t dampen or in any way remove the brilliance from the novel. Let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

Head on over to check out the letter from Greg, and read up on all the news. www.Shantaram.com

As the New Kerala reports in their exclusive interview with the author, Gregory is keeping busy with a number of projects in the downtime away from the movie. Not least is the completion of his sequel to Shantaram, and also a Bollywood movie he scripted:

Roberts said, ”I am currently penning scripts both for Hollywood and Bollywood films.” When asked about his genre of interest, the writer, who ”is writing so much” replied, ”I have penned scripts ranging from the typical Bollywood romantic comedies to horror, drama and science fiction.” ”A Bollywood film, based on one of my scripts, might be out by the end of 2010,” he shared.

The website also confirms what we know about the movie being shelved, but interestingly notes the project could see the light by 2011 (we previously reported this date, but cannot confirm this is true in light of recent reports about the state of the movie).

There’s a little more insight over on the site, and we encourage you to go read the rest of the article now, as it’s a great read. The bicycle repair scheme sounds really wonderful!.

Let us know what you think.

I have to apologise to readers that there is some bad news to get out of the way before we find out when the Shantaram sequel The Mountain Shadow will be published.

Shantaram movie ’shelved’.

UK newspaper The Independent published an article on Friday wherein Mira Nair reportedly told actor Amitabh Bachchan that she was told the project was ’shelved’, and with no other speculation as to why this was the case.

For fans of the movie, this comes as little surprise as we reported back in May that rumours has surfaced that Johnny Depp had stalled the production of Shantaram stating concerns over security. It appears that Mira’s attempts to steer the project back to filming in India were not as successful as she had hoped.

The Mountain Shadow

Note: the following dates are known to be delayed
Fans will just have to wait for the new book, The Mountain Shadow, showing as being published on amazon.com on February 4th 2012, in an ‘Export ed edition’ by Little & Brown publishers. On the UK and European amazon sites the date is set as 2nd September the same year (and the same publisher). Full details copied below:

Please bear in mind that dates indicated are probably not firm, but a guideline.

Amazon.com
Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown; Export ed edition (February 4, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1408701626
ISBN-13: 978-1408701621

Amazon.co.uk (And most European-based Amazon sites also)
Hardcover: 560 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown (2 Sep 2010)
ISBN-10: 1408701618
ISBN-13: 978-1408701614

I think fans will be pleased at least with this news, in the knowledge that a new novel from Gregory David Roberts will take his storytelling in a new direction with at least a a few of the characters we knew so well from Shantaram.

Give us your thoughts in the comment area below!

That’s right folks, head on over to http://www.shantaram.com for the full rundown on what is new in the creative world of Gregory David Roberts. There are some very interesting additions including poems, essays, and commentary on a number of issues which Greg has provided in response to reader emails. Thanks goes to Greg for providing the new insights for his fans and readers. I’m always really interested to hear news from his quarter, and I think that he’s got to say is really very important. What about you? I’m still really looking forward to The Mountain Shadow, and hopefully we can all have that in our library soon also. My thoughts on the sequel are that we ought not to expect a real-time continuation of Shantaram, but more a progression in story-telling which no doubt comes from a writer’s evolution as an artist in their form. I think it will be special for different reasons from Shantaram, but these are only guesses. Feel free to let me know what you think the Shantaram sequel will be like in the comments below, or on our forum.

Hey all,

Here’s the CNN Talk Asia video that was posted about last week.

Shantaram author on Madonna

The slum

Leopold’s Cafe

Haji Ali Mosque

I hope you enjoy the videos, tell us in the comments what you thought!

Gregory David Roberts is due to be interviewed on CNN’s TALK ASIA show this week. He’ll be sitting in with host Anjali Rao, to talk about his experiences of being an internationally-sought fugitive living in a Mumbai slum, to a celebrated author with Hollywood calling.

The interview airs on CNN International on:

• June 17 at 2030
• June 18 at 1100
• June 20 at 1230 & 2230
• June 21 at 0430
• June 22 at 1000
• June 24 at 0130 HKT.

The full program can be available for online viewing after the program has aired, on www.cnn.com/talkasia.

We hope you enjoy the program with Gregory, and please let us know what you thought of it in the comments, or on the forum.

As reported on the community forum yesterday, we can confirm news stories floating around the web detailing Johnny Depp’s reluctance to shoot the Shantaram movie in India, quoting security concerns.

This will deeply sadden many fans of the book, who have patiently waited for news that the production was underway. It appears that Depp is more keen on using Mexico as a location, rather than Mumbai and India.

The good news is that Mira Nair is not budging on the location, insisting that the ambience of Mumbai’s dusty streets would not be recreated on sets. Some news sites are reporting on rumours that Nair is being removed from the project. It is worthwhile to note that this speculation cannot yet be confirmed, and we feel Mira is still the best candidate for director of this movie given her previously outstanding work.

Our opinion here on the Shantaram Forum is that if the movie goes ahead then it should be set as authentically as possible. Not only to aid the drama of the scenes, but to reveal more of the real India through the imagery set by the novel.

Source: spicezee news:

"Confirming the news, Irrfan Khan, who has been roped into play the role of a musician in the film, said, “From what I understand, Johnny Depp wasn’t too keen to come to India. Brad Pitt and he are good friends. What happened with Brand and Jolie in Mumbai scared him off, apparently".

What are your feelings on this? Let us know in the comments below, or head on over to the community to give us your thoughts

In other news

Head on over to this website to catch a picture of Gregory David Roberts having a copy of GQ mag signed by the eminent actor Irrfan Khan (Namesake)