Tom Cruise denies Mumbai fans were paid

Representatives of actor Tom Cruise firmly denied suggestions that a group of fans who mobbed the actor at Mumbai airport on 3 December were in fact paid to turn up. A reporter for Indian website Firstpost claimed that the 200-strong crowd had each been given IR150 and a buffet lunch to ensure they supplied a frenzied welcome. One member of the crowd was quoted as saying: "None of us know who Tom is … We do this for television shows and other such events where crowds are required." But a statement by film studio Paramount Pictures, released to the Huffington Post, rejected the notion as absurd. "The only people paid were performers who danced outside the venue. The idea that fans were paid to cheer is completely ludicrous and entirely false." Cruise was in India between 3 and 5 December to promote his new film Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. According to the Hindustan Times, he said: "I have wanted to come here all my life,". "I kept telling Anil (Kapoor), a great actor and an incredible host, 'I promise you I will come to India'. "Yesterday, when we were at the Taj Mahal, I told him 'You have to pinch me. I can't believe I am here'. I'm honoured and privileged to be in India. I loved being here. The atmosphere and the people here are very nice. I'm happy with the love and appreciation I'm getting from my fans over here. India is an amazing place and I would definitely love to come again." Cruise's fame on the Indian sub-continent is not in doubt and Ghost Protocol, the fourth film in the Mission: Impossible series should see him increase his profile there. It features Bollywood star Kapoor in a supporting role as a rich, venue owner who the MI team must dupe to carry out their mission. Other cast members include Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg. The Incredibles' Brad Bird makes his live action debut as director.