How did the idea of turning Gregory David Roberts’ book into a TV series come about?
Steve Lightfoot (showrunner): I’m lucky I didn’t have to wait a few years to make this series. Apple+ and Paramount TV came to see me and I immediately fell in love with the project they offered me. Shantaram is a huge book and it would have been impossible to adapt it into a film. Nowadays, thanks to the world of television and platforms, we can really do whatever we want.
Therefore, in order to honor this book, it was necessary to adapt it into a series. It was a big challenge for me to produce a series that combines romance, adventure and action, all the elements are there to offer great entertainment to the public. It is also the story of a man seeking a form of redemption. I think we can all relate, to some extent, to Lynn’s journey played by Charlie Hunnam.
Tell us about your attraction to India.
Steve Lightfoot: Gregory Roberts’ book really captures the passion he had for India. India has always been a fascinating country in the eyes of the whole world and I hope this passion is well captured in our series. Lynn makes the mistake of going to live in India with her own vision of things, as she will have to blend into the country to truly discover what this country can bring her.
He will gradually understand as India asks him to transform himself and stop being this person who associates with failure. This too is a vision of India in the 80s, which is clearly not the same today. During his journey, he gradually discovers what this country can teach him about himself.
Charlie Hunnam: The only thing I knew about India was from reading a novel, Shantaram, which I loved. This question made me want to adapt it. When Apple started developing the project and offered me the lead role, I took the plunge and went to India for over a month.
The idea was to book a hotel in Bombay for a night and then set off on an adventure to discover India. I really fell in love with this country, its people, its culture, its delicious food and its incredible landscapes. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck again and in the end we were only able to shoot a few scenes in India before moving the production to Australia and Thailand.
This trip to India, however, was very helpful during filming, as it allowed me to better understand the stakes of the story and what India represented to its population. It was a great lesson in humility.
Why did you choose Charlie Hunnam for the main role in the series?
Steve Lightfoot: I wanted an actor with a lot of spirituality, a form of wisdom, but also someone who was very strong and could embody a rebellious human spirit. Charlie played Lynn perfectly because he knows how to find a balance between wit and explosion. Also, Charlie was a fan of the book and I was really lucky to be able to convince him to take the role.
How many seasons are planned?
Steve Lightfoot: The first season only covers a quarter of the book. So there’s definitely an opportunity to continue Lin’s adventures if we’re successful in this Season 1. I really want to continue that story.
Source: allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
