Just saw this over on Beliefs, Blackness, and Bollywood…apparently Mira Nair has signed on to direct the big-budget film Shantaram, with Johnny Depp as the lead and Brad Pitt’s Plan B as producer. Shantaram — for those of you unfamiliar with the title — is based on a Gregory David Roberts novel of the same name. The story revolves around an Australian heroin addict who escapes prison, sets up a medical clinic in the slums of Mumbai, and finds himself immersed in the city’s underworld, which consists of smuggling, gun running, and working in the Indian film industry.
I haven’t read the book yet (I’m just going by what I read in wikipedia and elsewhere on the internet), so I’m withholding judgment on the project for now. However, the details of this film so far are quite fascinating.
Take, for example, the story of how Johnny Depp managed to snag the lead role. According to this article, both Russell Crowe and Johnny Depp wanted the part, but Gregory Roberts ultimately chose Depp. Apparently it came down to the fact that…
“Johnny Depp has a lot of Indian friends,” Roberts said. “The way he spoke about them has made me realise that he was the best actor who could bring that love to the film.”
I can just picture all these struggling actors now trying to emulate Johnny Depp, re-writing their resumes so that they read: John Doe. Film, television, and theater actor. Also knows people who are [insert relevant minority group here], and holds them in very high regard. Similarly, according to Variety, Shantaram’s producers are excited that Nair has agreed to direct the film, because she brings an “authentic eye” to the project. As in, she’s a brown person who knows the difference between a real Mumbai slum and one that’s been manufactured for tourists, unlike the rest of us clueless people. According to this interview, Nair seems very optimistic about the film:
Unlike the movies where the white man comes to the dark continent and teaches how to light a candle, make electricity or whatever, this is a film about a man who is ashamed, guilty, who has no self esteem at all, who is a convict, heroine addict and he discovers what honour is. He meets very very important desi characters who instills in him what honour is,” said Nair.
Ok, enough cynicism. I really should read the book. In any case, Mira Nair’s work is hit or miss for me. I loved Salaam Bombay! and Monsoon Wedding, but I wasn’t impressed by either Mississippi Masala or Vanity Fair. It’s too soon to tell whether Shantaram is going to uphold the cows-caste-curry-dowry stereotypes we often see in other Hollywood films, or whether Johnny Depp’s Indian friends will help him win an Oscar. Still, I’m curious to see what the end result will be.
Vikram (on #48)
Nah…its not the gladiator type, larger-than-life character here, IMO; its a more real, beaten-to-near-death prisoner here.
Speaking of Dubey, I think the love story between him and Alice is soo beautiful – the way he stands there with the marigolds, presenting his ‘heart’ to her is so cheesy and romantic. Who cares about the family wedding – this is the real love story.
As for Johnny Depp, I never considered him hot or anything until recently. His versatility and passion for acting is his appeal to me — he plays Edward Scissorhands to JM Barrie to a Michael Jackson-esque Willy Wonka to Captain Jack Sparrow. Who the heck can do that?? Not Tom or Brad. So, this Shantaram role should be a breeze.
Here’s a picture of Roberts. Who is a better physical match ? Admittedly Depp may be better to play the starved prisoner version of Roberts…
Right here. Am thinking about going to the film festival feb. 3rd. Not in autorickshaw though. Sidecar perhaps.
Where’d DDA going to be this year and when? I’d like to attend, but the whole bhangra/hip hop scene doesn’t quite resonate with me and I normally leave those type of events feeling cheated out of 20 dollars, 2 hours, and expected to be accept unneccessary drama and gangta posturing as compensation. If you want some authentic and down-to-earth flavor, check out Spinning Wheel if you can; last year we had our own dholis come in between films and they rawked the casbah.
I know of a handful, including myself, though I’m sure they’re loads more who lurk and don’t post. We’re ripe for another meetup!
I know how I’m going to get there.
NVM + Camille, drop me a line on my blog and I’ll see if I can hook it up w/ the tickets. My profile pic has my email address. I hope to see you and anyone else reading this who can come there.
Cheers DJ. I have to see which one of my friends has enough of an artsy fartsy streak to enjoy it. I’m guessing my selling point has to be film festival + actresses! They’re the kind of blokes who’ll show up in mechanic grease with microwavable popcorn in hand.
Go DJ, thats my DJ, go DJ, thats my DJ…
I think DDA is Feb 24th, and I think they’ve moved it back to Cupertino.[link] It actually wasn’t that bad 2 years ago – no hip hop, lots of folks with their own dholis, and of course, my absolute fave giddha squad ever, the girls from UC Davis. That said, the bhangra was boooooring.
Not sure if I can make it to the wheel this year — my best friend from LA is coming into town. But if I do, it will be on BART!
“…………..wasn’t the australian-indian cousin a hottie”
Coffeeface (#39) and Jane of all trades (#41) – other than D, Randeep Hooda has also acted in Darna Zaroori Hai and Risk (which, if I am not wrong, was either just released or about to be released).
We have been family friends for a long time now. His grandmom and my grandmom were the best of friends and my mom and his mom are pretty good friends too. Randeep is a very nice guy and pretty down to earth. And if you think he is hot wait till you see his sis………sizzling!!!!
Aussie accent is the hardest to master so let’s see if the god Johnny Depp can pull that off. He’s terribly overrated.
quote: 8 · Phil on January 23, 2007 11:35 PM · Direct link
As for Crowe v Depp? I empirically base this on who has a record of throwing telephones at brown people behind service counters. Crowe leads that metric 1-0 so it has to be Depp all the way.
Now what does this have to do with anything? What an ignorant comment.
Wait, is it not cool to like “Mississippi Masala”? How come? I hated “Monsoon Wedding” in comparison to it (although admittedly, I watched it a while ago).
neal, i personally didn’t like mississippi masala b/c i thought it was just over-the-top and trying too hard to be provocative. i didn’t feel that invested in the story or the characters. but to each his/her own, right?
Actually, if you’ve seen Brad in Interview with the Vampire, 12 Monkeys, Kalifornia, Snatch, Fight Club, and Babel..you’d see he’s a great actor. Except he unfairly gets slotted into the pretty boy category like Robert Redford and Warren Beatty. Both good actors who were never given their due because of their looks and personal life. For a guy who gets slotted as a pretty boy, he’s played some really eccentric and off-beat characters. Brad’s Plan B also produced the Willy Wonka movie with Johnny Depp and made a fortune. Also produced The Departed. Too bad that people underestimate this guy all the time.
I am just relieved it didnt go to Gurinder Chadha. Nair however will invariably bring feminity to the film which may not be a good thing for this film because this movie has to be masculine, dark, intense and funny at the same time. The director must understand what Gregory meant when he refers to his Indian inmates as “my species” something only a male or a masculine director will understand. Someone like Sofia Coppolla.
Hey man, your buds sound like they’d fit right in. Come to think of it, didn’t you guys show up last year…?
Camille – I also have friends BARTing from SOMA to the festival, so grab your friend, pour some voddy in that empty Arrowhead bottle, and hop aboard the Night Train Express. (How else are you going to sit through 11 hours of Sikh cinema?)
Tickets are selling fast, so it’s now or never folks. Also, Kavi Raz will be in attendance and answering questions about his latest film, Gold Bracelet. (I now expect to see all the desi Trekkies there, first in line and waiting to get their replica 1701-D model autographed by the assistant chief engineer.)
Oh okay, thanks: now I know who to see about getting my $9.50 back.
This is a very great book, one of the best, because it deals with deep issues and and is a true story. As an Aussie / Kiwi it touches that part of us not covered in many books at all. That crazy, giving, flawed, brave, fight all, but honest character of the Antipodeans. And does so in depth. It cannot be played well by someone like Depp. Hes too into Depp. Hes also not tough. He cannot be imagined in fight scenes with big men, gouging out eyes. He will bring in Crazy Jack Sparrow to bulk it out looking to expand the genuine good Aussie crazy into Depp crazy. Pirates of the Caribbean does Bombay. No I wont see this film even though its based on my favourite book. What a crying shame.