Ever since Gregory David Roberts's semi-autobiographical epic Shantaram became a global sensation in 2003, Hollywood has shown keen interest in an adaptation.
Russell Crowe was among the first to attach his name to the project, followed by Johnny Depp, who signed up to play the main character in the film version of the story, which is about an Australian convict who escapes to India and starts a new life.
Roberts himself was first drafted to write the script, with Warner Bros having bought the film rights for a reported $2 million as far back as 2004. Australian filmmaker Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show) was initially announced to direct the film, but he quit the following year citing creative differences with producers.
Oscar-nominated director Mira Nair (The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding) then joined the project in 2007, with veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan set to star opposite Depp. But production on the film never began and it was eventually shelved in 2009.
Hopes for an adaptation were revived in 2013 when Warner Bros said it had negotiated to retain the rights to the adaptation until 2015. Australian actor Joel Edgarton was then announced as the lead with Depp staying on as producer. But talks eventually petered out with the film project again dying a slow death.
Roberts released a sequel, The Mountain Shadow, also a bestseller, in 2015.
Apple TV+ to the rescue
In 2018, Apple announced it had won a highly competitive bid to turn Shantaram as well as its sequel The Mountain Shadow into a series.
The news was met with excitement by fans of the book, many of whom believe the sprawling Shantaram — at more than 900 pages long — was more suitable to be an extended series than a feature film.
“I’m honoured and humbled in equal measure as a writer, and thrilled for the many readers who have hoped that Shantaram would become a vivid screen experience,” Roberts said at the time. “Television is the perfect medium for the novel.”
What is 'Shantaram' about?
Set in the 1980s, the semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of an Australian robber and heroine addict, Lindsay, who escapes prison in Victoria and lands in India with a false passport. Intending it to be just a stopover on his way to Germany, Lindsay is forced to extend his stay through various twists of fate and soon becomes enamoured by life in India.
He then sets out on various life-changing adventures, from living in the slums to working for the Mumbai underworld and even landing roles as an extra in Bollywood.
The book's title is the adoptive Indian name given to Lindsay by his friend's mother, which means "man of god's peace".
Who is the cast in 'Shantaram'?
English actor Charlie Hunnam, best know for his role in Sons of Anarchy, will play the role of Lindsay/Shantaram. He will be joined by Shubham Saraf, last seen in Netflix series A Suitable Boy; English actor Alexander Siddig, known for roles in Syriana and Cairo Time; and Australian actor Fayssal Bazzi.
Other cast members include Elektra Kilbey, Luke Pasqualino, Antonia Desplat, Alyy Khan, Sujaya Dasgupta, Vincent Perez, David Field, Gabrielle Scharnitzky, Elham Ehsas, Rachel Kamath, Matthew Joseph and Shiv Palekar.
British writer and producer Steve Lightfoot, known for hit Netflix thriller Behind Her Eyes as well as Marvel's The Punisher, will serve as executive producer and showrunner. It will be directed by Bharat Nalluri, best known for the 2017 film The Man Who Invented Christmas.
When will 'Shantaram' be released?
The first three episodes of Shantaram will begin streaming on October 12 on Apple TV+. There will be 12 episodes in total, with one new episode released weekly every Friday.
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Genesis G70
Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000
Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
