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From Variety
Nair, Depp journey to India film
Director hitched to 'Shantaram'
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCKMira Nair will direct big-budget Johnny Depp starrer "Shantaram" for Warner Bros. Pictures, with Graham King's Initial Entertainment Group and Depp's Infinitum Nihil producing.
Brad Pitt's Plan B is a producer as well.
Nair's arrival means the project --which may be Depp's next starring vehicle after "Sweeney Todd" -- is back on track after helmer Peter Weir dropped out last summer. Production is likely to begin as soon as this fall, with a possible 2008 release.
Nair will direct from a script by Eric Roth, who is adapting Gregory David Roberts' tome of the same name. Novel is based partly on the author's own adventures, according to publisher St. Martin's Press.
In "Shantaram," an Australian heroin addict escapes from a maximum-security prison and reinvents himself as a doctor treating the destitute in the slums of Bombay. His drive to procure medicine leads him into counterfeiting, gun-running and smuggling.
King said Nair's "lush visual style' lends an "authentic and vital eye" to the story.
Nair next will be in theaters March 9 with Fox Searchlight's "The Namesake," based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri. Pic is her first since Reese Witherspoon starrer "Vanity Fair," released in 2004.
Most of her films have been about her native India, including her debut feature "Salaam Bombay!" and "Monsoon Wedding." Other credits include "Hysterical Blindness."
Initial Entertainment and Infinitum are producing through their deal with Warners (Infinitum is an Initial company). Projects in the works include "A Long Way Down," based on Nick Hornby's novel, which scribe D.V. DeVincentis is adapting, and "Bomb," based on the book by Dr. Mahdi Obeidi, Saddam Hussein's top nuclear weapons scientist, and American journo Kurt Pitzer.
Infinitum and Initial also are developing "Happy Days," based on the novel by Laurent Graff. Terry Zwigoff is attached to direct from a script he will co-write with Jerry Stahl.
Nair is repped by Creative Artists Agency.
From Emma - Thanks to Peachy for the translation.
A little update from the Mantua Festivaletteratura 2006, Italy7 September 2006
The director should have been Peter Weir, then other names were mentioned such as Mike Newell (4 weddings and a funeral), even though for the moment nothing has been decided. However , Gregory David Roberts, 5th generation Australian, born in 1952 and author of the epic-philosophical novel Shantaram is not overly concerned. The book is selling really well and given the premises, the film, which will start filming next autumn, with GDR as a consultant, is sure to be a success.At the Literature Festival of Mantua, his meeting with readers had maximum attendance. When his book came out in Italy in 2005 it impressed critics and readers alike. By that time, however, it had already conquered the lovely, mysterious Johnny Depp, who after reading it rushed to purchase the rights for a couple of million dollars. Subsequently the writer and actor met and became great friends. “Johnny – observed Roberts – is a special man, he doesn’t put on airs like the majority of those who are involved in the Holywood Star system. The main part is perfect for him”.
From Empire Movie News
12 June 2006
Weir Walks
Helmer leaves Shantaram
Source: VarietyPeter Weir has pulled the eject lever on his next film and left Warner Brothers’ Shantaram.
The studio is now searching for a director to take over the project, which adapts Gregory David Roberts’ novel and will star Johnny Depp as a heroin addict who escapes from the slammer and re-invents himself as a doctor in the Indian slums. He eventually becomes a counterfeiter and gunrunner who clashes with invading Russian troops in Afghanistan.
There’s some disagreement about what prompted Weir to ditch the film. Some said it was because Depp – who’s producing – and Weir couldn’t agree on the film’s direction. But a Warner Brothers spokesrobot told a different tale to Variety: "Peter moved on from this film because his interpretation of it differed greatly than that of the studio and producers.”
This comes hot on the heels of Eric Roth delivering the latest draft of the script to the studio
May 28, 2006
Helena Bonahm Carter is no longer on IMDB's list for the cast.
May 21, 2006
Found by Emma HERE a several page long story with photos about the locations for Shantaram.
From Syakura found at Levante
It says that Shantaram is going to be shoot in Valencia (know as the city of the light), the same city where "Manolete" is being shoot (a biopic about the spanish bullfighter Manolete. Starring: Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz).It also says that Warner is ultimating the details with the director of "Grandes Proyectos de la Generalitat" ("Big Projects of the Generalitat", a local government institution), Luis Lobón, and with the representers of "Producciones Aguamarga" ("Aguamarga Productions") who promote filming in Alicante (South of Valencia). Warner thinks that they'll be shooting during 10 months and that the work will be hard because they have to make Valencia look like India. The movie will cost 80 million (euros - €) and shooting is predicted to begin at the end of the year.
I don't know if believe it or not because I've always thought that it wais going to be shoot in India, but the information seems accurate so I just wanted you to know it. If I have something new I'll tell you inmediatly.Syakura found confirmation on several other Spanish sites.
From CNN-IBNShantaram moves into big screen
Vrushali Haldipur
Posted Monday , May 01, 2006 at 20:18
Updated Tuesday , May 02, 2006 at 12:17Mumbai: From forging passports to signing copies of his best-selling book, it's been a leap of faith for Gregory David Roberts.
The man behind Shantaram is getting ready to see his work translated on the big screen. The film, to be directed by Peter Weir, is set go on the floor in November this year.
Faced with a choice of either Russell Crowe or Johnny Depp in the lead, Roberts opted for the latter.
"I had this connection with Johnny Depp long before the auctions for the distribution. He has a lot of Indian friends. The way he spoke about them has made me realise that he was the best actor who could bring that love to the film," Roberts said.
The author was recently in Mumbai to watch his book make a transition to the big screen.
Depp is not the only fan of the book. The continuing success of the book as it finds new readers have pushed Roberts to begin work on a sequel. But in the last 15 years, after various avatars as gunrunner, smuggler and singer, Roberts has instant karma finally caught up with the former fugitive.
Going beyond his best-selling work Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts is one man who's taken the road less travelled.
"It's been 15 years since I decided to change my life. You make your own karma," he said.
Shantaram is set to be translated into Marathi this year. For now, Roberts is well on his way to writing the next chapter in his already colourful life with Bollywood and Hollywood projects and jamming with his rock band.
From Rediff
Johnny Depp, Shantaram, and me!Meera Mittal | March 08, 2006 15:37 IST
Gregory David RobertsI walked into south Mumbai's Café Leopold at 4 pm on a warm Wednesday afternoon. Feeling like a woman on an undercover mission, walked up to the cashier and whispered: "Shantaram."
Instantly, the man's face brightened. I asked whether Shantaram -- Gregory David Roberts, whose book Shantaram is a global bestseller being made into a movie starring Johnny Depp -- was expected that evening.
The man said he couldn't say for sure, and suggested I wait.
For nearly two hours, I was "eating people with my eyes" -- to use a phrase I would later hear the elusive Roberts use.
My mind was thick with anticipation. I had traversed through slums, prisons, mountains and war in step with his narrative. His words had touched me like few others had. And now here was the opportunity to meet the man in the flesh!
It was nearing 6 pm when my eye caught a glimpse of a swish of blonde hair and the glint of chrome. From the description my friend Ankur had given me, I knew it was Roberts, parking his Bullet outside the café.As he stepped into the fluorescent light, the room seemed to brighten. He shook hands and greeted most everyone who worked there.
From his glossy mane worn in a slick ponytail to his crisp shirt, trousers and boots, everything about him was impeccable. His athletic frame and gait belied his age. His blue eyes sparkled with mischievous humour.
He settled down at a table behind me with a group of others who had been waiting.
It was the moment of truth. I steadied my nerves and stepped up to his table.
I introduced myself with, "Hello, I've read your book and completely loved it. Would you mind if I joined you?"
He offered me a seat and asked my name. I introduced myself to the group: An Australian named Brett, his Indian colleague Jeetendra, and Nasir Bhai, the operations manager of the Shantaram Charitable Trust.
I was carrying a notebook with me and Roberts asked if he could sign it. I retrieved my copy of Shantaram and put it on the table. He beamed and proceeded to sign it, in the fanciest scrawl I've seen!
The message read:
'February 2006, Leopolds, Mumbai
For Meera,
May all those you trust with your heart cherish the truth in you and stay true to your precious love.'
Intrigued by his handwriting, I asked him about it.
"Well, to forge passports and other documents one has to develop an artistic hand," he quipped.
Over the next two hours we talked about varied experiences, events and people. But of course, we began with Bombay, because Shantaram is, essentially, a love song to the city.
I asked him prompted him to escape to Bombay of all places. He explained that it had to do in part with chance and in part with fate.
An Australian friend of his was in love with India, and especially Bombay. The only time she experimented with heroin, she overdosed, and he saved her from near death, forging a strong bond between them.
She implored him to visit Bombay, to make it his new home and predicted that one day he would.
At that time he was a fugitive, preparing to flee to Germany.
He reasoned it was important for him to move to a country where his white skin would not stick out like a sore thumb.
He was an extremely aggressive man, always looking to settle things with a fight. If someone looked him in the eye, he'd stare back with a gruff: 'What d'ya want mate?'
She would lovingly rib him saying that in India everyone would stare at him; what would he do then? He said he would beat them all up.
He first left Australia for New Zealand, where he spent a few months growing marijuana to raise money for an airplane ticket.
With 30 kg of the stuff in a backpack, he hitchhiked cross-country to the south of New Zealand where he sold the grass and bought a ticket to Germany.
His flight had a bonus two-day stopover in Bombay.
On his way from the airport into the city by bus, he fell in love with the city, and knew this would be his new home.
Today, a self-confessed "South Bombay guy," his affection for the city is apparent. He says if you really have the will to survive, this city can lift you up from the dirt.
This, he says, saved him on more than one occasion.
One night, when he had no money to afford a hotel room, he ended up sleeping in the doorway of a shop in Colaba. With sheets of newspaper for a bed, he had this foreboding that life had given up on him and there was no way he could pull himself up out of this.
But the city came to his rescue, and picking up on the hustler's code, he made enough money to keep himself off the street.
Now, to give back to the city, he has set up the Shantaram Charitable Trust. His mission: To rid all the city slums of tuberculosis, starting from his beloved Colaba area.
He is importing state of the art technology from Australia, including vans fitted with specialised X-ray units meant for diagnosing TB.
I posed some of the questions that had been buzzing like flies in my head ever since I read Shantaram.
Why did he choose to leave so many threads unresolved in the book; such as the issue of Madame Zhou? Whatever happened to her?
"I don't want to spoil it for you," said a smiling Roberts, and went on to explain how Shantaram was Book Two of a series of four books he plans to write.
Each book, he says, has an underlying theme. Shantaram dealt with the theme of exile, and book three -- titled The Dark Side of the Mountain – will deal with moving from darkness to light.
Johnny DeppI asked him how he managed to recall all the details of events, people and places he had experienced.He said although the events in the book are real, the characters are only inspired by real life ones.
As most of us know, he had to rewrite the manuscript twice over as prison guards destroyed it in attempts to 'break' him. He now wears a data storage device cleverly designed as a watch, which stores all that he's ever written.
He wears another watch as well, which is set to Los Angeles time.
Roberts is working on five movie scripts, including that of Shantaram. He confided that he might appear in the movie, in a scene involving 20 goons on bikes.
And we laughed heartily as he imitated how Johnny Depp had done an animated Lin during characterisation sessions for the movie.
