Tom Cruise “Very Excited” to Visit India, Taj Mahal

Star focus of attention on trip for "Ghost Protocol"

Tom Cruise is thrilled to be seeing India for the first time.

"I wanted to come to India my whole life, so I am very excited,” the Hollywood star told Press Trust of India Saturday, as he visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra.

Hollywood met Bollywood as Cruise, promoting the upcoming “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” was accompanied to the landmark tourist site by Anil Kapoor, the actor who played the game show host in “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Kapoor was even more effusive, saying that Cruise was “absolutely mesmerized” by the Taj.

"He found it incredible. He loved the fact that such a monument could be built in the 15th century. He loved every moment of it,” said Kapoor, who has a cameo role in “Ghost Protocol.” He hosted an exclusive party for Cruise Saturday night at the Taj Mahal Palace that was attended by Bollywood A-listers.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise is staying at the Mumbai hotel, which was severely damaged during the 2008 terrorist attacks. The 108-year-old hotel was restored to its former glory and reopened last year.

In the fourth “Mission: Impossible” movie, Cruise’s secret agent Ethan Hunt is blamed for a terrorist bombing of the Kremlin. The action thriller is directed by Brad Bird, who won Oscars for his animated films “Ratatouille” (2007) and “The Incredibles” (2004).

After a special screening, Cruise, 49, is expected to depart Mumbai late Sunday for Dubai, where “Ghost Protocol” has its world premiere Wednesday.

It comes out in India Dec. 16, and in the U.S. on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Selected Reading: The Associated Press, Hollywood Reporter

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