MUMBAI – Freida Pinto’s global allure continues to charm the west. Even as anticipation about the actor bagging ‘Dhoom 3′ grows, she has already become the punters’ hot favourite to become the next Bond babe. Over the past few weeks, Pinto has emerged as the most desired female star among several bookmakers to star alongside Daniel Craig in the forthcoming 007 extravaganza.
To start with, popular bookmakers, Boylesports, has listed her with the odds of 10/11, as the star in the next Bond film. In fact, her odds are better than Hollywood stars like Zoe Saldana (15/8) and Emma Watson (10/1). Interestingly, Rachel Weisz – who is believed to be having an affair with Craig – goes with the odds of 2/1. The buzz is that she might be cast as a villain in the blockbuster franchise.
Ireland-based Paddy Power too puts Pinto in the favourite bracket with odds of 8/11; followed by Saldana (13/8) and Megan Fox (5/1). Others include Keira Knightley (10/1), Natalie Portman (12/1) and Mila Kunis (14/1). Bond is expected to return to the silver screen in November 2012, as filming is set to start this year. As per Sky Bet, Pinto is 3/1 favourite, while Olga Kurylenko is at 4/1 to make a second appearance as Camille. Weisz is at 8/1.
Pinto couldn’t be reached for a comment as she is shooting for Jean-Jacques Annaud’s ‘Black Gold’ along with Antonio Banderas, Riz Ahmed and Mark Strong in Qatar. Her publicists, though, maintain that she “hasn’t been approached to play the Bond babe yet”. Clearly, that hasn’t stopped Ladbrokes from considering Pinto as the hot favourite option for the much-coveted part.
Interestingly, Shilpa Shetty follows Pinto in the list with odds of 5/1, followed by Megan Fox (10/1) and Keira Knightley (14/1).
