Anil Kapoor's gracious welcome to Tom Cruise

He wants to see the Taj Mahal. He’s in love with the country,” said actor Anil Kapoor, who was accompanying his Hollywood co-star Tom Cruise to Agra yesterday.

About Tom in Mumbai, Anil said mysteriously, “Some things are being planned for him.”

One of the things on Tom’s itinerary in Mumbai today, is a visit to his Bollywood’s co-star’s house in the suburbs.  “We are hosting him at our place and my children are really excited to have him over. My whole family will be there to host him at our house. He was very keen to meet my mom and wife and have home-cooked food. In fact, he wanted to stay at my place instead of Taj. We will also party. And yes, Sonam (Kapoor) is too excited about it!” said Anil about the high-profile party to be held for Tom last night. The guest list was slatedto include the movers and shakers of B-Town and society.

Talking about Tom, Anil said the actor was more humble than he actually thought. “For an actor who has achieved such dizzying heights of fame, he is extremely down-to-earth. He’s very inquisitive about our film industry and wants to know everything about it. He is equally excited to meet some members of film industry. He has tremendous regards for Bollywood,” the actor said.

We later caught up with Anil after landing in Agra. He revealed that Cruise became ecstatic on seeing the Taj Mahal. “He just stood speechless for a long time and then finally said that he has fallen in love. Yes, it was love at first sight for him and he nearly had tears in his eyes, as he exclaimed, ‘Mission accomplished!’,” shared Anil.

Cruise has apparently bought several mementoes to take back home as well and even said that he wished wife Katie and daughter Suri could’ve seen that magical sight too. “Tom was completely awed and mesmerized by the Taj. It was very touching to see all of them being so moved by it,” added Anil.

Talking about Cruise enjoying the visit, he added that he was taking in the sights ever since his arrival and was overwhelmed by the beauty of it all.

Over the years, Anil has become the point person for Hollywood actors interested in Bollywood. Whether it is Hilary Swank at Toronto this year or Tom Cruise, everybody seems to be depending on Anil for their dalliance with Bollywood. 

“Yes, I am in touch with a lot of them and I want to strengthen the bridge that we have built over the years. We do some very good work over here, and I think that it’s high time that both of us (Hollywood and Bollywood) realise that we can synergise our efforts into making something bigger and better. I want to invite everybody here and show them the poolhouse of fine talent that we have here,” said Anil and excused himself, to give his attention to his Hollywood guest all his attention like the perfect desi host!