Shantaram

What a great show and what a bummer that apple had cancelled season two.

A real Netflix move by apple that I didn't think would happen.

Actually if I had known before I wouldn't have seen the first season. Because now Want more and then I just got disappointed.

This is one of the best games TV shows I have ever seen.

The thing is that it got cancelled because of it didn't hit at first. But that was really a bad decision, I and as far as I can tell, a lot more were ready to recommend this series.

But now I won't at that's a shame because it needs to be seen and it needs to continue.

Shame on you apple, shame on you!!!

I have to say I have never read or even heard of the books for Shantaram so I wasn't sure what to expect but being a Charlie Hunnam fan I thought I'd give it a try. So far so good. Hunnam does an excellent job as the lead here and the rest of the cast all do a good job too. Some people are complaining about his accent but I don't see any problems with it and if that's the reason you don't like the show then that's your problem. I've read that it stays pretty close to the source material so that should please some of the book lovers. It also portrays 1980's Bombay very well and the attention to detail is amazing. Overall the acting and storytelling is what makes this a good show. Hunnam is such an underrated actor, he's been great in just about everything he's been in. I'm glad that he's become the star he deserves to be.

I've been waiting for this for a long time, with a little trepidation, it's always in play when books that portray such a complete and immersive world get adapted.

But Shantaram is off to a great start, and so far appears to be a clever adaption with well crafted locations (including some Melbourne landmarks cleverly woven in) and enough of the book's storytelling to provide captivation.

The faux Aussie accent does grate a bit, but I suspect that will diminish over time - and so far all the characters are well realised and strike the right chord.

There's enough revealed after the first 3 episodes to convince that Shantaram was worth the wait and will draw the audience in to its compelling atmosphere and journey.

Update: I can't believe they've cancelled this show - it leaves the story untold, which is a real pain - almost feels like a betrayal - of actors, crew, and audience. Hopefully someone else picks it up and they can see out the series properly and tell the rest of the story, but I won't be holding my breath. The real shame of this is that over the course of the first season Shantaram had developed into a high quality drama, especially when one thinks about some of the dross that out there.

'Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows' - Shakespeare in The Tempest Based on Gregory David Roberts's novel by the same name. Although, author claims it to be a novel but it is mostly an autobiography based on his days in Mumbai followed after his escaping from a maximum security prison. He began writing this novel during his prison stay and the manuscript was destroyed twice by the prison staff. I read this book during pandemic suggested by a friend. The story is thrilling ,electrifying and heartbreaking, poignant at the same time. It offers an emotional and philosophical experience and does not miss out the boisterous actions. The series (have watched only first 5 episodes) does recreate the 1980s Mumbai beautifully with vivid colors, the lamp-lit streets, from dhobighat and slums to the squandering affluent class, from a golden sunlight filling up the sultry air on the narrow streets of the city to the dancing moonlight on the cresting waves of the Arabian Sea. Bhupendra Singh's ghazal in one of the episodes is befitting the scene. The characters development is somewhat hurried but does not leave out much details. Commanding performance by Charlie Hunman as Lin, and equally convincong performances by the supporting cast, seamlessly woven the essence of author's experience with fictionalization but mostly the strong narrative that makes this series a great watch. I felt some parallels with Salaam Bombay by Mira Nair.

'God is impossible and that's why it exists!'

Thoroughly enjoyed this show from start to finish.

After the final scene it says "To be continued" - great news! I thought.

Then I read that it has been cancelled the day after the final episode aired.

Are you serious?!?!?!

It's not perfect but it's a very good story that keeps you engaged based on a best selling novel.

When you consider the brain dead, trash tv that is spewed out daily from these subscription channels I am simply amazed they have dropped it.

I mean come on Apple! You renewed that non-sensical drivel Invasion for a second season yet canned this?

I hope some other studio picks it up.