Bollywood's Badman Gulshan Grover was to play a Bond villain in Casino Royale; here's why he was replaced

Gulshan Grover has always been the Badman of Bollywood. He had made villains look glamorous and gave them an edge above the hero even at times. There was a time when reports had been doing the rounds that he has landed a major role in Hollywood. In fact, it was being said that he might face none other than Bond, James Bond in Casino Royale. Now, in a recent interview, he has revealed that he was indeed cast for the role but was later replaced. The reason why he was replaced is heartbreaking!

Talking to Rediff, Gulshan Grover revealed that he was asked about being the next James Bond villain by Prince Charles’ cousin, when he was at Clarence House in London’s St James Palace for a meeting in 2005. He said, “His Royal Highness’s cousin immediately wanted to know if I was really doing the next Bond film.” That is when he also excitedly told a reporter friend that he was finalised to play Le Chiffre, and that's what caused the problem. “Unfortunately, it appeared before a formal announcement was made. That upset the producers, who replaced me with Mads Mikkelsen,” he quipped.

That is unfortunate indeed and it would have been a proud moment for India if Gulshan Grover had played Le Chiffre.