India far more tolerant than Aus: 'Shantaram' author G D Roberts
New Delhi | Sunday, Nov 29 2009 IST
 

Terming India as a ''beautiful country with very beautiful people'', author of bestseller 'Shantaram' Gregory David Roberts feels that it (India) is far more tolerant than Australia. ''The attacks on Christians in Kandhmal and other communal rifes are sad. But, one can immediately realise that India is far more tolerant than Australia or Europe,'' the Australian author, when quizzed about his thoughts on India, stated in an interaction with UNI.

''Different people from varied backgrounds co-operate and come together on a day-to-day basis here which is what makes it so beautiful,'' he felt.

The author-activist also shared that he will hold a workshop in Mumbai early next year to encourage budding Bollywood script writers. ''I have many ideas which need script writers. I will organise a workshop for budding writers in Mumbai sometime early next year,'' he said.

Looking forward to working with ''the various ideas'', Roberts said, ''I am currently penning scripts both for Hollywood and Bollywood films.'' When asked about his genre of interest, the writer, who ''is writing so much'' replied, ''I have penned scripts ranging from the typical Bollywood romantic comedies to horror, drama and science fiction.'' ''A Bollywood film, based on one of my scripts, might be out by the end of 2010,'' he shared.

Roberts' debut outing 'Shantaram', which traced the journey of a convict from Australia to the underbelly of Mumbai, reflects his own experiences with the city.

''As a child, I was involved in fights everyday and then I lived in Mumbai as a pavement dweller. All this has certainly influenced my writings,''he said.

The Hollywood adaptation of Shantaram, which was to be directed by Mira Nair and star Amitabh Bachchan and Johnny Depp, was in news for being shelved. But revival is on the anvil and the project might see the light of the day by 2011.

Meanwhile, Roberts is on his toes penning the novel's sequel.

Shantaram is the second book in a planned quartet and will be followed by a prequel and two sequels.

''I am currently writing the novel's sequel 'The Mountain Shadow' which would be handed over to the publishers in February and would be out in the market soon'' he informed.

The author also discussed his 'Happy Cycles' project.

Under the project, young boys from Mumbai slums repair bikes and finance their education through the earnings.

''While shooting for Shantaram, the team asked me to arrange bikes for a scene and that is how the idea struck me.

We had given clean uniforms to the boys which made them look confident,''he added.

The project also carries the responsibility of feeding them and paying for their health check-ups.

-- (UNI) -- 29DI8.xml

 

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