Since Gregory David Roberts published “Shantaram” in 2003 and the semi-autobiographical novel immediately became a worldwide bestseller, it was actually clear that this robber’s gun had to be made into a film. For a while there was talk of a film with Johnny Depp, now it has become a series. In the trailer, Charlie Hunnam sits on a motorcycle – a somewhat cheap advertisement that refers to his hit series “Sons Of Anarchy”. Lin Ford, the (anti)hero in “Shantaram”, has little in common with the prodigal son of a California motorcycle gang. Well, both are criminals, but in very different situations. The Brit Hunnam has now adopted a broad Australian accent instead of the American in order to believably play the adventurer, who is only very loosely based on Roberts’ own experiences. Lin breaks out of prison in Australia and flees to India, where he finds shelter in a slum and makes surprising friends there. He sets up a kind of infirmary, but quickly finds a place with the local Afghan mafia.
The series conveys the paranoia of the beleaguered Lin quite vividly (ironically, Shantaram means “man of peace,” but he doesn’t find it any more than he finds the right love), but it can only scratch the surface of this tale of guilt and punishment – Roberts ‘ Slightly philosophical excursions are missing here. And Hunnam, despite the painted scars, is a little too pretty, just like the slums are a little too cozy. Anyway, they’re a lot less scary than in the novel – no rats in sight. The positive downside is that too much bold violence was avoided, which is rather a rarity these days. But more dirt, more pain may be in the second season, which will hopefully be shot. (AppleTV+)
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