The Hindu Business Line : 007 off to a royal premiere!

Violet beams lighting up the sky from Leicester Square in Central London brought screaming fans to Odeon Cinema, for the world premiere of the latest James Bond film Casino Royale.

All theatres around Leicester Square screened the story of the secret service agent working for Her Majesty's Service, who would later grow into the world-famous agent 007.

It was with some disbelief that the correspondent reacted to a young policeman who waived crowds away, saying, "Yes, Daniel Craig was there. And so was the Queen."

But in fact, the Queen did attend the gala premier on Tuesday night at Leicester Square.

And so did other celebrities like singer Elton John and Dame Judi Dench, who plays the character M.

The new James Bond, actor Daniel Craig, has been dominating popular mind space in British newspapers and advertising, as must be across the world.

Craig the best bond?

Debates continue on whether the 38-year-old Craig will be the best Bond yet, as he essays the character of the charismatic spy.

Leicester Square attracts tourists in London, as it's pavements have palm-prints of Hollywood celebrities like Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Hugh Grant and so on.

Fan frenzy

But Tuesday night belonged to Daniel Mr Bond Craig, having a close brush with Bond-hysteria, as fans ripped-off the posters and carried little 007-memorabilia back home.

Interestingly, more men than women were seen carrying posters of the new Bond home.

"It's been taken. It's all been bought," one lady-fan emphatically told a latecomer who was scrounging for some Bond-take-homes for a friend.

The dispute was over reams of 007-poster rolled up on the garden pavement.

But such sideshows and hangers on continued late into the night, as will debates across blogs and geographies, on whether Craig will stand-up to his predecessors like Roger Moore, Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan.

The jury is still not out on that one.