Shantaram (film)

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This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content may change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.

Shantaram
Produced by	Johnny Depp Brad Grey
Written by	Gregory David Roberts (Novel/Screenplay) Eric Roth (screenplay)
Starring	Johnny Depp Helena Bonham Carter Emily Watson
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	TBA 2007 (USA)
Language	English
IMDb profile

Shantaram is an upcoming film based on the bestselling novel Shantaram written by Gregory David Roberts. It will star Johnny Depp in the lead.

Peter Weir was attached to direct at one point and got far into pre-production before having creative differences of how the book should be adapted with producer/star Johnny Depp.

1 Cast
2 Premise
3 Other details
4 External links

[edit] Cast

Actor	Role
Johnny Depp	Lin
Emily Watson
Helena Bonham Carter	Karla
Chunky Pandey

[edit] Premise

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Shantaram is the story of an Australian convict nicknamed Lin. Sentenced to a long, harsh prison term after his personal life spirals out of control due to drug abuse, he escapes and makes his way to Bombay (Mumbai). Befriended by a memorable character named Prabhakar, by a twist of fate Lin ends up living in Prabhakar's slum. He meets a girl, Karla, who frequents a popular nightspot for foreigners in the city, and Lin becomes a regular there. Lin immerses himself in the colourful life of Mumbai and his friends from the slum, battling fires, monsoons and ultimately setting up a free medical clinic in an attempt to make up for past transgressions. He visits the native village of Prabhakar, coming in contact with the traditional, preliterate India. Eventually, Khader Khan, a Mumbai mafia chief takes Lin under his wing. In Lin's mind Khader takes on the role of the loving father that Lin never had as well as spiritual leader. Their association leads Lin from love to wretched prison life, freedom to gun running in Afghanistan. The realization of a betrayal by his loved ones ultimately leads him to inner salvation.

[edit] Other details

Russell Crowe was keen to play the lead in the film but Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil, Warner Bros. and Brad Pitt's production company Plan B had already purchased the rights to the book for a whopping $2 million as a starring vehicle for Depp.