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Fugitive endurance

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 8:35:55 IST

Internationally-acclaimed director Mira Nair’s proposed film based on the novel has brought the limelight back on Gregory Robert’s Shantaram.

Sudhir Raikar remembers the therapeutic value of the timeless original
Analgesic, Anti-toxicant and Anti-depressant – that’s the only way to describe this outwardly runaway work of therapeutic value. That the author Gregory David Robert was once a drug-addict fugitive makes his therapy as enduring as his experience. His gratifying eye-drops infuse such raving inspiration that the reader sees nothing but splendor in the celebration of life with all its trials and tribulations.
It’s almost a worthless exercise to fix a genre for such work where each of the author’s rich and varied experiences - refuge and revenge, despair and hope, love and solitude, virtue and vice, loyalty and betrayal - goes beyond mere dictionary connotations to reveal a truth that appears more complete in its partiality. Mira Nair has the right wherewithal for her proposed adaptation of Shantaram - in the form of brilliant actors like Johnny Depp and Amitabh Bachchan in pivotal roles as also her own proven flair - but the richest ingredient comes in the form of a poignant theme whose value can never be undermined in the name of fiction.
Although the story spreads across the continents of Asia, Africa and Australia, it is in Mumbai that most of the action takes place. Having escaped from an Australian prison armed with fugitive disillusionment, the protagonist comes to this pulsating city and things happen in quick succession. The undemanding charms of a street-smart tourist guide Prabhaker leads him to a life in a slum. At the same time, a popular joint frequented by foreigners of varying nationalities and motives introduces him to the underworld and its belligerent lords. And thus begins a string of contrasts in each of his exasperating roles – a determined slum doctor saving lives amidst filth and disease, an underworld mediator thriving on the profits of crime and forgery, a sensitive lover pining for his love in solitude, a loyal confidante ready to die for his Godfather’s life-mission and the individual disasters of his vulnerable friends.
In each of these roles, he clings to a sense of purpose found embossed on the other side of each coin – purity of life in the wretchedness of the slum, soul-searching mysticism in the twisted morality of the underworld and a cosmic hope in the heart-wrenching tragedies of new-found friends and situations…….
The diminutive, sprightly guide Prabhaker and his rustic clan, the iron-willed Afghan don Kader Khan and his August followers, Karla his enchantress lover ever shrouded in mystery, the enterprising and God-fearing slum inhabitants, hardened prisoners serving detention in atrocious jails, helpless victims trapped in gawdy brothels and the bizarre code of conduct followed in pubs, hotels, police stations, hospitals, railways stations and pavements.
Every story is a rainbow of human emotions offering sparkling lessons in philosophy, religion and psychology, sans the aridness of curriculum-trapped disciplines.
Roberts shows amazing finesse in capturing the parochial beliefs and universal commonality of his characters. He also unveils the true character of Mumbai – hidden from the roving eyes of animated visitors and missed by the weathered outlook of busy locals - as a city that swears only by the doctrine of necessity. What’s necessary invariably comes ahead of what’s right or wrong. Roberts finds an astute example in the contrasting behaviour of fatigued railway passengers in Mumbai. The do-or-die on-board pandemonium for vacant seats is almost condoned by overt gestures of solidarity as the journey progresses. Such rapid alterations of human behaviour in adverse situations - less space and more people - is only found in Mumbai, he discovers.
The racy account, however, seems stretched towards the end, much like a forced attempt to suit best-seller expectations of magnificent landscapes, do-or-die missions and larger-than-life anonymity. But more importantly, Roberts avoids the temptation of romanticising his semi-fictional escapades. Instead, he surrenders to the divinity of his experience as if playing his part in the scheme without pride or prejudice.
As he rightly says, each one of us only adds our “little consequences to the tides of good and evil that flood and drain the world”.
Couldn’t have been said better!

Thanks for that Karen

Yesterday I decided to search for A Shantaram web site and there it was.

It was very interesting and informative although it really needs to be updated. I read the author facts and ofcourse I went through the whole site but I found the author facts very helpful. Unfortunately, I am not in to reading books but after reading Shantaram site I now understand why Johnny Depp chose to buy the rights to it. There is a coloured photo of Gregory D Roberts also on the site and yes I can see Johnny playing that part only too well.

This would obviously be right up Johnny's street.

Another great part to look forward to and Johnny (the best actor in the world) will give his all.

:snoopy :snoopy Another movie to look forward to. :snoopy :snoopy

Glad you found this site------did you read the section where Roberts talks about meeting Johnny selling him the rights to his book?

Yes I did, herestoyou.

I noticed Johnny gave the lowest bid and that G.D. Roberts sold it to him because of the love Johnny has for India. I also liked the photo of them together.

I agree it is very, very interesting reading.

I can't tell you how excited I am that you all are getting involved in the Shantaram story!! It's unlike anything I've ever read, as it the author. ;) He spoke so highly of Johnny, I just know this film will be wonderous!

I remember reading that Johnny gave the highest bid actually :) Just that the author would have gone with him even if he had given the lowest because he was the only of the four actors who talked to him about India which is so pivotal to the story.

I didn't find the exact quote that I read then when I googled for it, but there's something similar written in this article:
Russell Crow, Brad Pitt, Edward and Johnny Depp were bidding for the role. I personally wanted Depp; we would talk about Bollywood, Indian friends, Indian writers, Paneer Paratha - though I like alu better! His was the highest bid and he won the role. But I had asked my director for Johnny even if his bid was not the highest.