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.

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)

The Danny Boyle film adaption of Vikas Swarup’s book Slumdog Millionaire won 8 Oscars at the awards ceremony this weekend, and many are now speculating that the success of this India/Mumbai based movie will turn up the heat on the production of Shantaram.

Shantaram has been on the back burner for Director Mira Niar for some time now, and with the success of Slumdog it is expeted that Studio Chiefs will want to fast-track the Shantaram movie into production. The movie, set to star Johnny Depp as Lin, appears to have found it’s moment for both the Hollywood studios and the general movie-going public.

Favorite of Gregory David Roberts, bollywood composer A.R. Rahman picked up 2 Oscars for his music score in Slumdog. It is not known whether Rahman was to set the score for Shantaram, however his success with this film and Gregory’s fondness for his music may be the catalysts for him joining the Shantaram project.

What’s clear from this news is that movie goers are keen to see adaptions of thought provoking bestsellers projected on the silver screen, and if the success of Shantaram could be measured, then this is a strong indicator that the movie would do very well indeed.

Discuss this news with us on the Community Forum, and let us know what you thought of the book, or the film, and what’s to come for the Shantaram Movie and more.

That’s right, you can expect the film in 2011. Mira got talking about the supposed ’shelved’ Shantaram film while attending an event to promote her husband’s (Mahmood Mamdani) book ‘Good Muslim Bad Muslim’.

You can find a video of Mira talking about this and the Shantaram film by heading over to the timesnow.tv website.

Her admission that the film is not shelved but expected to release is 2011 isn’t exactly news. Fans have assumed that the long delay probably put it somewhere in this time scale, but the statement from Mira Nair does confirm once again to fans of the book that the movie is still on the cards.

It is not known if Gregory David Roberts is set to release a sequel to the bestseller Shantaram in the intervening time.

Discuss this news in our Community Forum