When Shantaram was published in 2003, Gregory David Roberts’ semi-autobiographical novel immediately captured the imagination of readers and Hollywood talent alike. With its sweeping story of an escaped bank robber who flees Victoria’s Pentridge Prison for Bombay in the 1980s, it seemed destined to be brought to the big screen. But despite having a number of high profile actors (Russell Crowe and Johnny Depp among them) attached to the project, the production went into hiatus several times over the course of 20 years. Eventually, with Paramount TV and Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam attached as the series’ lead, it became a reality – but this time around as a TV show instead of a film.
Initially, the production was to be shot in Australia. Specifically, Melbourne and Mumbai were to be used as locations for key scenes that would recreate Roberts’ jailbreak from Pentridge prison. However, with the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and the departure of executive producer Eric Warren Singer (leading to a writing backlog), the shoot was pushed back and the producers were forced to relocate.
As a result, the team was able to film a large number of pivotal debut season scenes in Bangkok, Thailand. The city’s Chinatown was used to depict Mumbai’s streets while a real shantytown (known as the Bhopal Refugee Camp) was built on the outskirts of the city to serve as the backdrop for some of the series’ most memorable scenes.
Known as Jared the Subway Guy, this American media personality rose to fame in 2000 after losing more than 200 pounds through the Subway sandwiches diet. He appeared in a series of Subway commercials and became a household name. He also started the Jared Foundation in 2004 to raise awareness about childhood obesity. However, his […]
Located in the Hawaiian archipelago, Maui is renowned for its exotic beaches and breathtaking natural scenery. It has two giant volcanoes that contribute to its varied landscapes, making it a popular location for filming. The romantic comedy Just Go With It was filmed in several locations on the island, including the luxurious beachfront hotel that […]
The new series of Daisy Jones and the Six is a welcome return to the sex, drugs and will-they/won’t-they relationship of Fleetwood Mac-inspired '70s rock band Billy and Daisy. Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling 2019 novel, the series stars Riley Keough and Sam Claflin as the lead singers of an LA-based band modeled on […]
