Shantaram is a novel influenced by real events in the life of the author, Australian Gregory David Roberts. In 1978, Roberts was sentenced to 19-year imprisonment in Australia after being convicted of a series of armed robberies of building society branches, credit unions, and shops. In July 1980, he escaped from VictoriaΓÇÖs Pentridge Prison in broad daylight, thereby becoming one of Australia's most wanted men for the next ten years.