With Daniel Craig finally stepping down as James Bond after his final turn in No Time To Die, there is currently a 007-less void in the film industry. Eon Productions hasn’t even decided who the next actor to take on the role will be, meaning that the next movie in the franchise could be several years away.
It could be time for Bollywood to step up and take on the legendary Ian Fleming character. It’s surprising that the largest film industry in the world has never explored this, and now could be the perfect opportunity to take on the challenge to create an Indian version of the iconic spy.
Bond Diversity
There has been a lot of discussion in recent years about how the Bond franchise should diversify. Some have pondered about making the spy female or having a non-white actor play the role, and these are ideas that have been welcomed by many. With 25 similar pictures in the franchise to date, it could be time to mix things up and provide audiences with something they haven’t seen before.
When it comes to diversity, it doesn’t get much better than Bollywood. The Indian film industry is made up of a rich tapestry of different languages and cultures, and these all blend together to create some incredible films. It would be interesting to see how this cinematic culture could be infused with Bond. There’s no doubt that it could provide a unique take on the tried and tested tropes of the franchise that would captivate Indian and international audiences alike. Indians already love classic Bond films, but they may like them even more if they see their own representation within them.
Indian Bond Would Have to Stay True to the Tropes
If Bollywood film producers decide to adapt 007, they could make it a truly original picture. However, it would still need to have the flavor that makes a Bond movie to attract mass audiences. This would involve using some of the most common tropes from the Eon Productions series.
One of the primary settings for Bond pictures is the casino, with the Casino de Monte-Carlo having featured in Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye. It’s one of the oldest casinos in the world and is the epitome of style and glamour. The gambling house opened in 1863 to raise money for Monaco’s royal family. India does have some casinos of its own, but none as opulent as this one. A Bollywood Bond should visit more recognizable settings like this to attract an international audience.
Another aspect of Bond films that can’t be ignored by Bollywood is the inclusion of nifty gadgets. Almost every 007 picture features some cool inventions that later serve a purpose in the plot. The best Bond invention of all time was the jetpack that was used in Thunderball.
Bond is one of the greatest film series of all time, but it’s time for it to expand and diversify. Bollywood filmmakers should offer their own version of the character now to give viewers something fresh and new.