Empire Online reports that Johnny Depp is to star in (and produce) "Shantaram", an adaptation of Gregory David Roberts' bestselling novel. Set in the 1980s and spanning three continents, the story begins with Lin (Depp) escaping from a high security Australian jail and making his way to safety in India.
Once there he meets Prabakar, a guide who introduces him to the shady Indian underworld of beggars and gangsters, all trying to escape from pasts they'd rather forget. It is among the underclasses and criminals that he meets Karla, a Swiss-American operating an illegal free clinic.
The subsequent story is leads to prison, torture, an apprenticeship with the Bombay mafia, betrayal and a journey to Afghanistan to fight a guerrilla war against the Russians. The book was a large hit during its Aussie release and is likely to repeat its success when it's released in the US this week. Roberts wrote his first draft while doing time.
Thanks to 'Bleech'.
