Mira Nair's 'Shantaram' with Johnny Depp shelved

The 'Salaam Bombay' director's plan to turn Gregory David Roberts' novel into a film has been in news for a long time now, but Mira ruefully admitted that the project will not see the light of the day anytime soon.

"Shantaram is in a way ready to go. The script is brilliant and we were almost ready with the project when it collapsed because Hollywood Writers Guild of America went on a strike. Actor-producer Johnny Depp took on other projects," said Mira at the ongoing International Film Festival of India.

But the 53-year-old filmmaker is not losing hopes yet.

"The subject is as ripe and as alive as it was. It is definitely a piece of my heart but there is no hope of bringing it alive in near future. However, I certainly hope that one day we will be able to bring it on the big screen."

Mira is currently working on the Broadway adaption of her film 'Monsoon Wedding' with Vishal Bhardwaj and plans to open it in spring 2012.

The director, who has produced many documentaries and short films besides feature films, said she and scriptwriter Sooni Taraporevala are also in discussion to make a miniseries.