Big B to mentor Depp in Shantaram

Johnny Depp and Amitabh Bachchan, two actors representing the best of Hollywood and Bollywood, sharing screen space: Mira Nair could not have hoped for more for her next film Shantaram.

While the Hollywood star of films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Finding Neverland will be playing the central role in the film, Bachchan will be the kind-hearted Mumbai gangster.

The New York-based Indian filmmaker, who was approached by Depp to direct Shantaram, couldn't have asked for a better deal.

"It was an honour for me that Depp asked me to make the film. It will go on the floors in November. But right now I busy with the release of my Namesake in India," Mira said.

When asked about other members of the cast, she said it was just Depp and Bachchan right now.

Shantaram, which will be extensively shot in Australia, China and India, is a story with true global appeal, she said.

The film, a screen adaptation of Gregory David Roberts' book of the same name, shows how Roberts (played by Depp), a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict, escapes from Pentridge Prison, Australia, and flees to India to make his base in Mumbai.

In Mumbai, Roberts has to deal with the Mumbai mafia. He later decides to help slum dwellers and starts a health centre that provides free medical facilities to the poor.

It is here that Roberts befriends Kader Bhai (Bachchan) who eventually becomes his mentor and guide.