Tom cruises to India on a whirlwind tour

New Delhi/Mumbai, Dec 3 (IANS) On a whirlwind tour of India to promote the fourth instalment of his "Mission Impossible" franchise, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise landed in Delhi, then visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and later reached Mumbai Saturday.

Accompanying him in this 'mission' was his Bollywood co-star Anil Kapoor who reached Delhi ahead of him to take him around India. Kapoor plays a key role in "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol".

Cruise landed in Delhi early morning and headed straight to the Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri. He stayed at the exquisite Maharaja suite which has a personal gym, jacuzzi and is one of the most expensive suites in the country, sources said.

From there, the 49-year-old left for Agra with Kapoor. He stayed at the Oberoi Amar Villas in the Taj city.

He then visited the Taj Mahal with Kapoor. People who were already inside the Taj literally forgot about the monument and started trailing the stars.

After the visit, Cruise said: "Stunning. I love being here and I always wanted to see the Taj."

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had made special arrangements for the visit.

"We took the necessary precautions and provided whatever facilities were required. Cruise spent about an hour and took keen interest in the mausoleum, spending several minutes admiring the main structure from the marble platform," Taj caretaker Munnazar Ali told IANS.

Tom then cruised to the entertainment and financial capital of the country, Mumbai, amid tight security at the airport and the route to his hotel.

Dressed in a blue and white checkered shirt and blue jeans, Cruise landed at the domestic terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport a little before 5 p.m.

He will stay at the presidential suite of the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers in Colaba till Monday.

If sources are to be believed, the presidential suite that Cruise has booked for two nights costs Rs.10 lakh per night.

The 5,000 square feet suite has in the past hosted guests like US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also stayed in the same suite during their India visit in November 2006.

An additional 14 rooms have been booked for his management and entourage.

Though Cruise was supposed to travel with wife Katie Holmes and daughter Suri, he came to India alone.

Later Saturday, he attended a private party thrown by Anil Kapoor which was also attended by top Bollywood celebrities.

The bash was a private 150-guest affair at the Taj Rooftop, Colaba.

On Sunday, Cruise will be part of the main event hosted by Viacom 18 and Anil Kapoor -the special screening for 1,500 fans two weeks before the film's worldwide release Dec 21.

"Cruise will meet and interact with his fans and will also watch the film with them. A red carpet event will follow the film," said an organiser.

The film marks the return of the Hollywood superstar as secret agent Ethan Hunt. Kapoor plays an Indian business tycoon, Brij Nath.

Sources added that Cruise has expressed his intention to visit Kapoor's home and meet his family if time permits. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol