Shilpa Shetty, the next Bond girl?

The producers of the James Bond films, currently putting together the cast list for the 23rd movie in the series, are keen to sign up Indian actress Shilpa Shetty so that the film is a success in Asia.

Shilpa, who became one of reality television's most talked about stars earlier this year, is seen as a perfect leading lady for the current Bond, Daniel Craig, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The fact that she is big in Bollywood is about to seal the deal, the report said.

"Shilpa is having secret talks with the top brass who are working on the next movie. As far as they are concerned, she has it all -- she is beautiful, fiesty and a great actress," a movie source told the paper.

"But they also want someone who is a big star...which Shilpa is... She has a huge following in Bollywood as well as a number of fans in the Western world -- especially in Britain -- so she will be great for box office sales," the source said.

Craig is set to begin work soon on the 22nd Bond movie but the producers have already begun planning for the next film.

Another factor in Shilpa's favour is that she has some former experience of dealing with Bond-style villains. While starring in "Celebrity Big Brother", Shilpa was subjected to sustained bullying by Big Brother veteran Jade Goody, former S Club singer Jo O'Meara and glamour girl Danielle Lloyd.

She went on to win the show and became a star in Britain.

Her latest project is her own perfume -- S2, which has outsold Victoria Beckham's scent.