MEDIA RUMOUR
Gulshan Grover is to play a villain in the next James Bond film. Then, he isn't. And then, he is! Okay folks, the suspense is over now and Bollywood's Bad Man has finally accepted that he is playing the baddie in the 21st 007 movie Casino Royale - reports the Times of India.

In town recently, Gulshan said, "Yes, I'm doing a Bond film which is directed by Martin Campbell and will be starring Daniel Craig in the lead. The shooting will begin in January next year. It is set in the cold war era."

And would the man want to reveal why he turned his casting into a suspense-thriller? "Well, it saved me from answering so many questions about the movie that the media would have asked, and which may have led to a controversy.

Also, it safeguarded me from the bad vibes of the jealous lot!" Whatever you say, Mr Grover. So, does he plan to shift base to Hollywood?

"I'm the first person who has not left the country despite working in American and European films. Bollywood is my mother and Hollywood is my gori aunty... she just happens to like me!" he says.

MI6 Rumour Rating: Gulshan Grover has been on and off with his 007 claims since March 2005, when MI6 first reported he had met with USA-based casting agents. Even if he is lined up for a role, his media activities may yet rule him out. Back in 1998, rock legend turned actor Meat Loaf was lined up for the role of Renard in "The World Is Not Enough", but he mouthed off to the press about his future too early and subsequently lost the part to Robert Carlyle.

It is set in the cold war era.