Gulshan Grover rumours of villain role dismissed

He has just missed joining the ranks of the legendary Bond baddies — Joseph Wiseman (Dr No), Curt Jurgen (The Spy Who Loved Me), Richard Kiel (You Only Live Twice)… and not to mention our very own Kabir Bedi aka Govinda in Octopussy.

It is official. Bollywood "bad guy" Gulshan Grover is not the villain in the next James Bond starrer Casino Royale - reports the Hindustan Times.

Section of the Indian and the British media had reported that Grover was to play the villain, Le Chiffre, in the film about 007 taking on the deadly Russian spy with the French name at the roulette table so that he does not win the jackpot of 50 million French francs — to fill KGB coffers.

However, both Grover's casting agent in London and producers of Casino Royale have denied the report.

Attempts to reach Grover over the past two days failed. However, his assistant clarified with an SMS: "Mr Grover never said he has got the role. He always said he was hopeful. He said if he gets it, he will make India and Bollywood proud."

In an e-mail, Sony Pictures Releasing International, the studio making Casino Royale, said: "We've checked with Eon Productions. They have confirmed that there is absolutely no truth in it. Just wishful thinking on Mr Grover's part."

Grover has earlier appeared in three global productions — The Second Jungle Book, Monsoon, Tail Sting — and will soon be seen in The Fall.

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

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