Gregory- Shantaram is a book my parents recommended to me my whole life. Finally when I began travelling internationally I picked it up and devoured it. I lost my copy on a ferry in Thailand, and saw another sitting on the shelf of my hostel just hours later! (Convinced the hostel host to sell it to me). Thank you for such an enthralling story. I was addicted from the first sentence, and since have read and enjoyed your sequel as well. I now recommend Shantaram to all my traveller friends as the one book to stick in their backpack. Please accept my grattitude and love.

I just watched season 1 of the Apple series. I'm so disappointed that it has been canceled. I hope more people will comment on this and that Apple will make season 2. This is one of my favorite books. Thank you for writing such a masterpiece!💜

Super exciting that you have a KZfaq channel Gregory -- thanks for the update on the Apple series. Hunnam is one of my favorite actors.

I was lucky enough to work on this film right next to Charlie and many more great Actors. Can't wait until it's release.

A series will do the book most probably more justice. Praying it will be a good one 🙏. Gave my copy to my son who is now devouring it like I did 😃

Lin I am reading Shantaram at the moment, three quarters of the way thru. I brought a copy when I was in India 11 years ago which was a pirated copy. Words unreadable as the ink was smeared for the latter half of book. The Universe has its own timing for when things are to be revealed. Bless you on your wonderful journey and stay in touch. Much Love.

I was just watching PBD's podcast and the interview of Former Drug Smuggler Roger Reaves. I immediately remembered you and 'am here now. Nice to see you.

Shantaram is one of my favourite's books. Greetings from Bulgaria.

Gregory... I was just released after a long stent in prison. I read many books. By far Shantaram is the best book I've ever read. I shared it with many friends and read it many times. It really helped get me through a rough time and helped me temporarily escape the hell I was in. I'm amazed at all the profound statements that I read in the book. It really captured life and it's meaning. Great job my man. I hope to meet you one day. And ps... I'm loving your music. Keep up all the great work. And please keep writing. Your biggest fan. Doozie

Of course I'm posting before the video premiers, but here is my two cents worth: I feel that Shantaram is an epic story that should not be ruined by the usual Hollywood hatchet job of trying to fit almost 1,000 pages of story into a 2-3 hour film. It has always concerned me that when a book is popular enough to capture the interest of filmmakers, they fail to understand that it is popular for a reason, and that reason is the story in all it's rich details. So they instead do a lot of heavy story editing and no matter how hard they try, the resulting film is always a disappointment to those who read the book, and sometimes even to those who haven't because a lot of the details that were left out contain the various spices that helped to make the whole book so popular. While I understand a certain amount of trimming is necessary to fit the standard 2-3 hour mold of most films, now that we have streaming services like Netflix that produce much longer works from a single story by presenting it episodically, this should be the preferred method for finally giving Shantaram the full attention it deserves, presented in a way that allows those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading it for themselves to experience it fully, in almost the same way those of us who have read it have experienced it. I say almost because what we see in our imaginations as we read is very personal to us because we provide our own visuals to the story. What we see on film will always have deviations from our personal vision, but at the same time sometimes some of the filmed visuals are even better than what we imagined for ourselves! I look forward to hearing more about Shantaram's filmed future, and hope (though it still seems to be almost beyond hope) that it will be done in a way that honors not only GDR, but the book and all of it's many fans.

Wait … is HE BACK ?!?! I know he took a break from the public… oh I’m so happy. I can’t wait for the self help/spiritual book… and I would probably chop a finger off for another novel 🤞 some day? 😬 As an avid reader… with each and every title I finish reading, none of them can come close to the way Shantaram made me feel. It’s the greatest book I will ever read… I miss those long nights reading it for the first time. I met shantaram in inpatient rehab, trying to save my own life. My mother got it for me… My anxiety is through the roof when I’m getting sober, and withdrawing-being stuck in rehab is tremendously difficult and this story truly helped me get through that tough time, and gave me my love for reading!! This will always be my favorite author, and someone I look up to. 🙏 ♥️

Hello, I have read your book twice, it is one of the best books I have read in my life. Greetings from Poland

Is there any way we can support in petitioning to get this movie made? Shantaram is the best book I’ve ever read in my entire life and everyone I know who has read the book feels the same. Read it twice. Would be a dream come true to see it brought to the screen.

ULTIMATE FAVOURITE book ... sad its not Johnny Depp now ... he would have been fantastic as always

One of my peers in jail suggested your book. I just got out this morning and still have not stopped thinking about it. I appreciate you!

Hi Shantaram aka Linbaba! I'm an Indian currently living in New Zealand. I'm not really a book reader but so many of my kiwi friends recommended the book"Shantaram" that I couldn't resist and started reading the book. I gotta say I have now become addicted to listening to your voice as it plays on my mind while I'm reading it. It feels like you have become my friend and are sitting beside me while telling your story. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. God bless Prabhakar's soul..thank you so much for sharing your amazing story! Love and peace 🙏

Thank you Gregory. Shantaram came about in my life during a period of tremendous pain and sadness. It really did help me get through it! I recommend it to anyone who will listen. My favourite book of all time bar none. Thank you 💙

dear David Roberts, I thank you for your book. This is truly a masterpiece! The amount of work that you have done amazed me! I wish you good health, longevity, Peaceful sky over your head and creative fire in your soul. Marsel Sufiev from Russia!

Shantaram was filming a few months ago in Ripponlea Estate in Elsternwick Victoria. It took about 10 days and went so smoothly I barely noticed them there. Was sad because I was hoping to get sucked into it as an extra!!

I found 'Shantaram' at a book swap place run by volunteers where I used to live and though I'd never heard of it before I knew immediately that it was something special to someone because it has the fuzzy-soft edges of the pages that only comes from being handled a lot, from being put into and taken of bags again and again. From being read over and over and over. I was enthralled by it immediately and I recently bought the e-book version for convenience and have just started re-reading it. It really is a masterpiece. Thank you :)

I am so excited to watch this series!! I keep checking periodically to see if something is still in the works or not and I couldn’t be happier that Charlie Hunnam will be the new lead. Shantaram is still my favourite book of all time! Congrats and thank you 😊🙏💛

Im extremely grateful that you made this book it is a true master piece. i discovered this book when i was serving time in a western australian prison, it was reccommended to me by a fellow prisoner and the librarian said it was the most popular book in the library. It was the thickest book ive read but was well worth it each and every chapter gave me new inisights on the world and human emotions. you described every thing in such an amazing way your a great writer. I seriously love this book it helped me through a tough time in my life and i can easily say that it somewhat changed me as a person. reading this book by far one of the best things ive done in my life

Hi man, I just was blown away by your books ,they filled my heart with love for the wonderful Indian people ,the humour ,the way they handled the wife beater , the irrepressible Prabaka & of course the enigmatic Karla who I feel in love with too vicariously that is. And all the other guys & women, Didier, Vikram & the rest. Your writings are so poetic & compassionate, you are a truly amazing human being may you live long & make the garden when you transition

Hi Gregorybhai Reading your book. At chapter 30.. cant stop. I hope to see a TV series or film based on your epic story

shantaram and mountain shadow are the most juicy books, i loved it GDR

SHANTARAM is my favourite book! Big books can sometimes be intimidating, but since that first sentence of chapter one, I was excited to go back to India with each page. Before I begin reading a book, I usually go to a random chapter and read a sentence or two, just to get a sense of style. Chapter thirty’s first paragraph was the first time I read out of your book and I felt like I was floating on a rock! Beautiful language and style. Your energy and vibe is amazing. Thanks for making these videos, Gregory! It’s truly amazing to see the man behind the book I’ve read, loved and cherished ever since I encountered it!

in the past 4 years I have read both Shantaram and The Mountain Shadow probably 5 times now and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, these books are constant companions for me and have traveled with me all over the world, including India of course :’) every time I read the books there’s something new that stays with me, I send all the love your way, thank you 🤍🙏🏼 I’d like to ask, in your opinion what is the most important life lesson that is concealed in the books? having read the books so many times I have my own opinion of course, I’d like to hear yours!

Shantaram is one of my favourite book. I read it first when i used ro study in India 10 years ago. Since then i always recommend the book to my friends. And just 3 days ago in book store i discovered that there is actually the second part of the novel. And now i just can't put it down. Thank you ❤️

I THINK YOUR stuff is way -way timely. Love it

Great book!!! I love your book with my heart♥️♥️

If I had to flee in a hurry and would be able to only take three books with me - one for keeping my brain in shape, another for spiritual/mental development and yet another for survival purposes/standing fast/keeping my dignity - I would consider yours as a latter one. Though it's heavy enough to carry so the perfect one for such circumstances should involve all three :).

Brilliant book ❤ ...i love johnny so always wondered what affect he would have had on the end result of a movie...cant wait to watch the series, well done lovely soul x

Amazing news, I loved shantaram and hopefully with this being a series it gives some scope for a follow up series Of The Mountain Shadow. I wonder who's playing Prabaker he was a great character.

Thanks for your awesome book . I discovered it at a place called confluence. It’s a wilderness behavior therapy program in the woods of Vermont. Where participants come willingly and live with each other there on a beautiful property together doing workshops groups nature excursions etc. it was an amazing summer of close group connection and learning peoples and my own inner souls. Shantaram was an ever present companion to us all there as everyone took a turn at reading part of it.

i red this book my first month in high security prison in Norway. I have been in India before, all together maybe for a year, so i knew a bit what its like and i lived trough the whole story, I was crying, laughing, all of that... such a great book. I loved it. Red Mountain Shadow as well. But Shantaram really took me by the heart and punched it and hugged it and broke it... my god. Strong book. Life is a wonder

Thank you for the Update. I also think Hunnam is a great guy. Shantaram was a lifetime experience, thanks a lot! Greetings from Germany.

Hello GDR So excited and privileged to find your channel. Just wanted to let you know that your book has been a source of inspiration in some of my darkest times. To me you are the Phoenix who has risen from the ashes time and again. I am falling short of words, but just wanted to thank you. Cheers and keep spreading that infectious energy.

I am really looking forward to seeing the show. I just want to say how wonderful that you seem happy and healthy x

Greetings, Gregory! I'm glad I found your subscription and I'm glad you're doing well. Good luck and may God keep you!

Hey Gregory, your book is the first in a long time that I've read non-stop. I spent quite a bit of time in India and was captivated right away by the accuracy and depth of your descriptions.Though I've seen much of the everyday life of India, the shocking conditions softened by the luminous smiles, I have only seen the slums of Mumbai from a slowly passing train, and what I saw during that hour long crawl was heartbreaking. To be taken inside to see the humanity within was incredible, rare for a westerner to illuminate me in the ways of India and Indians, but pranams, brother, you made me realize I had missed a lot. Loved the literary level descriptions, the insights into humanity and life and the barn burning, page turning story you told in Shantaram. Just ordered your second book and will see what the good folks who made them both into TV events have done with them soon. Charlie Hunnam? Love that guy, no offense to the marvelous J. Depp, but think Charlie's a better fit actually.

I'm excited and hope it works out! A long form TV show format sounds wonderfully promising. I've read Shantaram every year since 2015 and it has inspired much of my own work and travels. Thank you, GDR and team!

Hi I'm an Italian and if I had money how much money is needed for this production I would send it up to the last cent. By letting the Indians work. I love this book the emotions transmitted were many, the language you have about love is splendid. day in the bookstore they let me meet you. I hope your luck is infinite and to see this film soon. If you ever come to Rome one day or I arrive in India, one of my greatest wishes would be to see lin. I still finished page 900 but I already know that I will miss you we have been together almost 4 months. and I am already wondering who will be next to keep me company after lin, his advice would be wonderful.

shantaram is one of those books every generation should read.

I need to read shantaram more than once...

So looking forward to it since so many years the moment i heard Johny depp and Amitabh Bachchan..but even though that's not happening, still looking forward to it even if it is a web series

Amazing read! You have a way with words sir. How can I learn to write like that?

Well I got my answer. Bizzare why there is still no film.

Linbaba ! Thanks for shantaram what an amazing book just finished it after my dad had recommended it to me. Looking forward to reading the mountain shadow. Glad i read shantaram before the movie is released as i found it captured my imagination, the pictures of the people and the places painted themselfs easily in my mind by how well it was written but i will be sure to see it when it is released on film to see there take on it. How could i get my hands on a signed copy of the book ? Wish you good health and good luck with your future endevours.

Hello Gregory David Roberts, do you have any other books besides Shantaram and Shadow of the Mountain?Thank you in advance. I wish you good luck and prosperity in your work.

Thank you for taking the time to inspire us and to explain your own journey. I always appreciate knowing that you're out there

I’m so excited for this movie!!!!!!!

Maybe that can all be revisited now

Hello, dear GDR! I love books, I write, I’m indigenous from Siberia (we have ancient ties with India) and Jamaica is my another home! I’m in love with your Shantaram book (I recently started reading the second one thou bought it for my mom a few years ago) and the series and I’d really love to know 1. what you think about the series 2. if you helped with the movie script Btw, I’ve just learnt about the new book and I’ve read some of it in Russian already (the free fragment)! I hope to get to Jamaica while ur still there and meet you!

I remember sitting in melbourne uni caf with you and your brother, a long long time ago ;p

I read your book in prison it was the best read of my life

Please make video on your favourite songs & music???

Thank you for the book! It was on my reading list for a long time and finally I read it. Besides letting me get away from the horrors of the war happening here, in Ukraine, I believe it's one of the few books in history that changes lives!

Will there be an audiobook of the mountain shadow ?

Hello Greg, thank you for youre live story! I love it! I heard your audio book many times. It brings sun, heart, love and fun (and really hard times). But its also exiting with a lot of Indian charme ( I love India). You are a real enrichment for humanity! Thank you! Question (If you wanna say it). Do you live in Europe or in Australia? :-) Greetings from Germany! P.S. I hope for a third book!

Hi Greg, loved Shantaram, yet to read Mountain Shadow, but my question is actually about your accent. I’m also an Aussie living abroad (Mexico) and I’ve lost the distinctive Australian “Rlessness” from my accent. What I mean is I fully pronounce the R regardless of whether or not it goes before another vowel. I’ve noticed that you also fully pronounce the R, at least some of the time, and I was wondering if you have always spoken like that or if it is something that happened when you started living abroad?

I actually saw them filming at pentridge not long ago!

Thank you Linbaba 🙏🙏🙏

Hey lin baba how's you,jm from aamchi mumbai.happy yo see you on you tube.wany to meet you..if you come to Mumbai please let me know..

Your book made my 85 year old Mother laugh Thankyou

Lin baba amazing to see you after your hiatus. Do you still ride your enfield these days? When i see a foreigner ride an enfield through the streets, here in india the first person that comes to my mind is you. Thank you shantaram. GDR🙏

I heard they are making Apple TV series with Charlie Hunnam. I don't know why they got non-indian actor to play khader khan. There are dozens of bollywood actor who would have been excellent for that role.

Just finished the second Book as Audible version in German. Being a great India lover it was a must. Thanks a lot😉

I was so looking forward to Johnny Depp doing this project. Personally i was disappointed. Then apple tv canned the series after 1 season. I was soooo pissed off,canceled my subscription and made it perfectly clear why. I loved the first season and to date can't fathom why it would be axed.

I read your book when I was in prison in solitary confinement in Russia. I have now been to India and other countries. in the ashram and in monasteries and not only

Matthew Mcconaughey for Linbaba!!

"If fate doesn't make you laugh, you just don't get the joke"

Adesh jay guru dav

BeAuTiFuL 🌹

Prabaker😭😭😭

A broad question I have always had is that of which parts of the book are mostly inspired by your personal experience. More specifically, I read somewhere that you were actually in Afghanistan but I would like to know what were you doing there, if you actually went to the war for some reason. Also would love a video about which characters were inspired by real people (which would also help me know if some philosophical theories are your own or product of conversations with someone). Anyway, I think I am being too optimistic to get an answer for everything but I am dying to know!! Peace and love from Mexico!

Hey GDR, howcome in every answer you are saying us insted of I? Please tell me who is us. Maybe you already answed this one, I don t know, sorry!

Is a good as book i was in jail in the bucket and read the whole thing

Waiting...

Keen for series smart move brother, aye have u ever stayed at bangs street prahran. With a lady and her kids back in ya hay day mate

Beautifull writer

Lin baba?

What do you feel about Hindutva and right wing extremism growing especially now in India? And what's your stance on Islam and Muslims in general Gregory?

❤️

I used to know someone that was in pentridge with you.

I believe do you know me

Ничего не понял, но очень интересно

dude you are just soooi engaging you would.make an excellent trauma.therapist

For a fake auto biography it's a decent read but damn this guy is cooked

He has an American accent tho

Can I ask Mr Roberts, do you have dentures or are your teeth real?

How poor was the mountain shadow ? Absolutely dreadful 🤦‍♂️

Dude you look freaky