My first Bond movie was Thunderball at Madhumita Cinema Hall sometime in the late seventies. For lack of a baby sitter I tagged along on my parents’ movie date, thereby spoiling Sean Connery’s awesome action moments as James Bond for them.

I have no clue whether I understood anything of Bond at all back then, but I do remember being forcibly side-tracked with crisp packets every time glamourous Bond girls in skimpy clothes appeared on-screen. And there was a lot of crisp packets I tell you. I think this incident during that eventful movie is what kicked off my undying love for ‘deshi’ potato chips along with all the Bond girls.

Recently, I was watching YouTube and looking for something interesting when I stumbled upon the trailer of James Bond’s 2020 outing with ‘No Time to Die.’ And suddenly, I started reminiscing Bond girls.

Most might disagree, but I believe all the Bond girls are each an action hero or anti-hero themselves, and not just some eye-candy put in to please Bond and moviegoers alike. They all have pivotal roles such as key love interests, sidekicks, allies or enemies of Agent 007.

As for the new entries in the Bond franchise, I find that the Bond girls feature more intricate character depth and arc than Bond himself. Each woman has an important role to play in the story, and get more into the integral parts of the fine fabrication of plots, just as much as Bond is.

While the status of M as a Bond girl is debatable, I think M, especially considering her role in Skyfall, is definitely a Bond woman. There is no mandate on what kind of person a Bond girl should be or what role she must play, but all of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels and short stories include one or more female characters who can be said to qualify as Bond girls.

Each character in the novels, and later movie adaptations, brings in her own unique charismatic individual traits, but mostly, a Bond girl shares a few common characteristics.

For one, they tick just about every categorical box of beauty there is and coupled with those looks are smarts and combat potential that can go toe to toe with the man with the licence to kill. They exist to either help Bond in his fight for good, or to put 007 out of business.

They dress in practical yet assertive fashion, wear little jewellery, wide leather belts, and shoes fit for any situation. Sporting a tan look, their hair falls heavily to their shoulders in a casual cut of any colour from fiery red to a classy brunette, or a pale blonde. They appear in classic bouffant shoulder length hairdos or sleek gelled side parts, or soft Brigitte Bardot haircut.

I strongly believe that without these talented, athletic, intelligent, beautiful, and charming Bond girls, Bond would not be able to save the world as often as he did, or look as suave and debonair as he does.

I found two reasons to talk about them this March. One is obvious because it’s a new Bond movie year, hitting the screens in late March. As for the second reason, for me personally, I feel femininity, sophistication and boldness are what Bond girls exhibit. I find them beauties with brains and power.

I want all of us women and girls to be bold and beautiful, both inside and out. It doesn’t matter if you are homemaker or a CEO or a day labourer, bring out that inner strength for all the world to see. Challenge yourself to reach your goals, to fight for what is yours, and to show the society that you are not naïve and weak.

Don’t forget to read our article focusing on the economic importance of recognising women’s work at home, and on momprenuers and their businesses, and more.

This 8th March, appreciate the women in your lives by recognising their talents and strengths, instead of greeting them with a dry, droopy, dead rose.

Happy International Women’s Day

— RBR

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Mohini, Niki

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Makeup: Farzana Shakil’s Makeover Salon