Shantaram is an upcoming film based on the bestselling novel Shantaram written by Gregory David Roberts. It will star Johnny Depp in the lead and Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan in a supporting role.

Peter Weir was initially attached to direct and began pre-production before having creative differences with producer/star Johnny Depp on the adaptation. The film will now be directed by Mira Nair. The movie will be Co-Produced by Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.
 Cast

Actor Role
Johnny Depp Lin
Amitabh Bachchan Kaderbhai
Emily Watson 
Helena Bonham Carter Karla
Chunky Pandey As Himself
 Premise

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Shantaram is the story of an Australian convict nicknamed Lin. Sentenced to a long, harsh prison term after his personal life spirals out of control due to drug abuse, he escapes and makes his way to Mumbai (Bombay). Befriended by a memorable character named Prabhakar, by a twist of fate Lin ends up living in Prabhakar’s slum. He meets a girl, Karla, who frequents a popular nightspot for foreigners in the city, and Lin becomes a regular there. Lin immerses himself in the colourful life of Mumbai and his friends from the slum, battling fires, monsoons and ultimately setting up a free medical clinic in an attempt to make up for past transgressions. He visits the native village of Prabhakar, coming in contact with the traditional, preliterate India. Eventually, Khader Khan, a Mumbai mafia chief takes Lin under his wing. In Lin’s mind Khader takes on the role of the loving father that Lin never had as well as spiritual leader. Their association leads Lin from love to wretched prison life, freedom to gun running in Afghanistan. The realization of a betrayal by his loved ones ultimately leads him to inner salvation.
 Other details

Russell Crowe was keen to play the lead in the film but Johnny Depp’s production company Infinitum Nihil, Warner Bros. and Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B had already purchased the rights to the book for USD 2 million as a starring vehicle for Depp.

This movie will be Amitabh Bachchan’s first international movie. Amitabh Bachchan himself is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood.