FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW: Fans walk past a promo cutout of the Bond movie `Casino Royale' at Sathyam Cinemas on Friday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: The name's Bond. James Bond.

"You have to realise that every man thinks he's Bond after he watches one of the films," says Senthil, an ardent fan of the British spy who has a licence to kill.

He says, "Look around. The Bond theme is playing in their heads."

Sure enough, the stream of men filing out of Sathyam Cinemas after the first day, first show of Casino Royale walk with their heads high, their shoulders squared. One of them even weaves deftly in and out of the crowd, escaping imaginary spies.

Craig as Bond

And the verdict on Daniel Craig as the trigger-happy lady-killer who drinks his martinis shaken, not stirred?

"He makes a lovely Bond. Pierce Brosnan was really stylish, but he didn't have the body. This one has a rugged physique, and he also has his own style," says Senthil.

Shankar, who has not only watched all previous 20 Bond films but has also read many of the Ian Fleming novels on which the films are based, agrees with this.

"He works as Bond for this film. Sean Connery will always be James Bond to me. But, `Casino Royale' is the beginning. The character has not yet reached the level of suavity that we see in the other films. He is raw, and yet stylish in his own way," he says.

Judging by the bookings at Sathyam Cinemas (tickets are sold out till Monday), there is a lot of excitement around `Casino Royale'.

Shankar had to use his influence with someone who knew someone who knew a manager at the theatre to get a seat.

The atmosphere in the hall is euphoric. Craig gets cheers, hoots and whistles every time he comes on screen.

And the women... well, Bond always gets the women, so the audience cheers them too.

Malini, who is at the theatre to humour her husband, says she is quite disappointed with Craig's looks. "Pierce Brosnan is so much better looking. But, it's fun. Silly but fun."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail