The way I see it, it's still way too early in the game to start taking most Bond 22 rumors very seriously -- just ask Abbie Cornish. Since there isn't much for fans to do between now and November 2008, we might as well enjoy a little speculation. The Metro UK is reporting that "unnamed sources" (we all know what that means) have confirmed that Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is in the running to star as the next Bond Girl. According to Metro's source, 'Shilpa is having secret talks with the top brass who are working on the next movie. She has a huge following in Bollywood, as well as a number of fans in the Western world – especially in Britain – so she will be great for box office sales.'Shetty began her career in 1993 and has appeared in over 50 films, although the actress has had her fare share of controversy over the years. There has been talk of links to organized crime and obscenity charges. In the last year alone, the award-winning actress has been at the center of not one, but two major scandals. The first was for her appearance on UK Celebrity Big Brother; when a housemate was accused of racist behavior after making offensive comments about Indians on the show. Shetty got the last laugh though, and won the show with 63% of the audience votes. And how can we forget the maelstrom that ensued after Richard Gere kissed Shetty on stage at an AIDS-awareness event.
Since Bond producer Barbara Broccoli and company were still looking at locations a few weeks ago, it doesn't seem likely that they are remotely close to casting Shetty, or anyone else for that matter. While Shetty certainly has the look of a Bond Girl, I'm betting that this is just another rumor that will eventually fall by the wayside. Not to mention, if political groups were burning effigies after a kiss from "The American Gigolo," could you imagine what would happen once Bond was through with her?
There is a long, interesting post over at TV
Guide's FlickChick, 
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