Vodka Martini can be shaken, stirred and even dirty

The portrayal of James Bond has changed over the ages, yet even after five decades, the craze just doesn’t seem to die, and this is despite his sanskari form (in India)

He knows exactly, who he is. As human beings we are all filled with a certain level of self doubt, he is absolutely unaffected by self doubt. No one wears the tux the way he does, he knows his cocktails ("mostly loves when shaken, not stirred"), and he certainly knows the art of seduction.

He is true pop culture hero who embraced the power of technology and adapts to the time period of his films, bending to meet the evolving desires of audiences. Meet the suave British spy – James Bond, who has been winning the hearts from past five decades.

As the legend goes, Jonathan Cape - the publishers of James Bond novels initially rejected Ian Fleming’s draft for ‘Casino Royale’. It was at the insistence of Fleming’s brother and celebrated travel writer Peter Fleming, they published the book. The rest isn’t history, while the first two books have gone for reprint, this one was not a best seller, and the protagonist, James Bond was just another spy. It was the then US president John F Kennedy’s statement that ‘From Russia with Love’ is one of the 10 books he love, that made the world of the difference. Five decades later, ‘My name is Bond, James Bond’ reverberates stronger than ever.

The love for suave British spy has transcended all boundaries and stood the test of the time. The very fact that James Bond series is one of top five top grossing film series stands a testimony. However, after failure of Pierce Brosnan’s ‘Die Another Day’, there was need for change in the way the Walter PPK wielding spy is being portrayed in the films. When Daniel Craig was cast as Bond, there was vicious criticism from all corners. While die-hard fans found fault with his short stature and piercing blue eyes, few critics predicted that he might end up the Timothy Dalton’s (‘The Living Daylights’ and ‘License to Kill’) way, if not a Geroge Lazenby (On her Majesty’s Secret Service).

Craig certainly invoked the memories of Timothy Dalton’s gritty portrayal, but the film ‘Casino Royale’ was a refreshing change. ‘Quantum of Solace’ was underwhelming, but ‘Skyfall’ the biggest grosser of the bond films sent the fans into frenzy. It certainly paved way to a new M – Ralph Fiennes (after Bernard Lee and Judi Dench), Money Penny – Naomi Harris and Q – a charming Ben Wishaw along with a promise of re-introducing most memorable bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

‘Spectre’, the 24th bond film, which hit screens on Friday, ticked all boxes of what made Bond memorable; Gadgets – check, Aston Martin – check, pre-credit scene –check, nearly indestructible henchman – check and sinister plot – check. However, the film was tad disappointing. Nevertheless, it introduced a formidable evil organisation - SPECTRE, like SMERSH in Sean Connery films and a superb Ernst Stavro Blofeld – a scintillating Christoph Waltz, who has successfully surpassed classical portrayal of Donald Pleasence.

Looking back it is safe to say that Bond is back to his basics after the origins sort of story, which took three films. However, it remains to be seen, whether Daniel Craig (who has only one more film in the contract) and his gritty James Bond, would match the machismo of Sean Connery or the charisma of Roger Moore, in what appears to be a text book Bond movies to follow.

The bottom line is, one doesn’t get bored watching the gun-toting, womanising (a sanskari in India, courtesy Censor Board), vodka loving super spy in his groove, uncovering sinister plots, saving damsels in distress and eventually saving the world with help of gadgets of course. Predictable, nevertheless, the most loved spy in the world.