A rousing reception with traditional 'dhol', 'tutari' and 'tilak' was accorded to Hollywood star Vin Diesel, who landed here on Thursday morning on a two-day promotional tour of his forthcoming release "xXx: Return of Xander Cage". On his maiden trip to India, Diesel says his dream to explore the country has come true.
The American actor was accompanied by his "xXx..." co-star and Indian actress Deepika Padukone and director D.J. Caruso.
"So honoured to be here in India for the first time. The xXx Global tour has been great and now I and Deepika Padukone are going to share this film with her country today. As a child, I always dreamed of visiting India... Thank you Paramount for making this dream come true. Xander," Diesel posted on Instagram.
Mumbai rolled out the red carpet with a Maharashtrian style welcome, complete with an 'aarti' and 'tilak'.
They arrived to a 'desi' fanfare of biker women dressed in red nauvaris (nine-yard saris) and yellow turbans, even as men played the Nashik 'dhol' (big drum) and trumpet-like curved folk instrument 'tutari'. Diesel looked excited as he waved out to the media and to the crowd there with much gusto.
"The greatest welcome ever! 'xXx India Premiere. Wow and a blessing to go with it," Caruso tweeted on Thursday.
Dressed in white jeans, a black T-shirt and a pair of shades, he walked out of the airport here hand-in-hand with Deepika, who sported an all-black look complete with black stilettos.
They smiled for cameras and looked around at the mania which made up for the grand reception they received here with the 'band and baaja'. The three celebrities happily posed away for the shutterbugs. They kept waving and showing the thumbs up sign as the cameras went clickety click.
The traditionally clad entourage stylishly atop their Royal Enfields then led the stars to the hotel they are staying in, in a western suburb of Mumbai.
For Caruso, the mania was overwhelming. He also shared on Twitter an image featuring an enthusiastic cameraman who is seen trying to capture Deepika and Diesel from his bike.
"Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel chased by photographers on streets of Mumbai. I am in car behind them," Caruso tweeted.
The itinerary for Diesel's day one in India was all about fan meets, a press conference and a red carpet premiere for "xXx...", which is releasing in India on Friday -- before anywhere else in the world.
Everything around the trip has been planned in a way to give Diesel a "splendid taste of India", sources told IANS.
The actors, along with other members of the film's cast and crew, have been on an extensive worldwide promotional spree to promote the film. They visited London and Mexico before coming to India.
The movie is a new instalment in the "xXx" series after the 2002 film "xXx" and the 2005 entertainer "xXx: State of the Union". It also stars Ruby Rose, Samuel L. Jackson, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa.
HONOURED TO BE IN INDIA FOR FIRST TIME: VIN DIESEL
Hollywood actor Vin Diesel, who got a 'desi' welcome in India on Thursday morning, says he dreamt of exploring the country and is glad that his dream has finally come true.
Diesel, along with his "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" co-star Deepika Padukone and director D.J. Caruso, was welcomed with dhol, 'tutari' and 'tilak'. They arrived to a typical desi fanfare of women dressed in traditional Marathi nauvari (nine-yard) saris and yellow turbans.
Taking time out from his packed schedule, Diesel took to Instagram to express his views.
He posted: "So honoured to be here in India for the first time. The xXx Global tour has been great and now I and Deepika Padukone are going to share this film with her country today. As a child, I always dreamed of visiting India... Thank you Paramount for making this dream come true. Xander."
Diesel's two-day India trip has a lot of things planned. He is promoting "xXx: Return of Xander Cage", which is releasing in India on Friday -- before anywhere else in the world.
The actors, along with other members of the film's cast and crew, have been on an extensive worldwide promotional spree to promote the film. They visited London and Mexico before coming to India.
The movie is a new instalment in the "xXX" series after the 2002 film "xXx" and the 2005 entertainer "xXx: State of the Union". It also stars Ruby Rose, Samuel L Jackson, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa.
VIN DIESEL REFUSES TO COMMENT ON DONALD TRUMP
Hollywood star Vin Diesel, who is in India on a promotional tour of his forthcoming release "xXx: Return of Xander Cage", refused to make any comment on US President-elect Donald Trump.
During a media interaction on Thursday, he was asked for his views on the coincidence that his film is releasing worldwide on January 20, the day Trump would take oath as the US President.
"Let me tell you, on January 20, something very important is going to happen in America and that would be the return of Xander!" he said.
Recently, the Hollywood was divided on the opinion iconic actress and singer Meryl Streep expressed about Donald Trump without taking his name at the stage of Golden Globe.
"There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart. Not because it was good. There was nothing good about it," she said, taking a swipe at Trump for his alleged mocking of a differently abled US reporter.
This is the second film of the xXx franchise after their first film "XXX: State of the Union" that was released on 2009.
The film would mark Hollywood debut for Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who stars in the film alongside Vin Diesel playing Serena Unger.
The film is releasing in India on Friday (January 13).
SRK WISHES DEEPIKA 'ALL THE BEST' FOR 'XXX...'
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has wished Deepika Padukone -- who forayed into Bollywood with his film "Om Shanti Om" -- all the best for her debut Hollywood project "xXx: Return of Xander Cage", releasing in India on Friday.
"She (Deepika) started her career with me. 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' seems to be a very interesting film. I wish her and Vin Diesel all the best. I am sure everybody will like the film," Shah Rukh said here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the launch of Dabboo Ratnani's celebrity calendar.
Shah Rukh, who is also gearing up for the release of his much-awaited entertainer "Raees", said he is quite excited about the Gujarati character he is portraying.
"I haven't played a Gujarati character so intensely ever, so I am very excited."
About the newly released "Garba track "Udi udi jaye" from the film, he said: "The song is very colourful and vibrant. It is a garba number. Director Rahul Dholakia is from Gujarat, so the atmosphere (of the film) is also like that."
"Udi udi jaye" is a romantic number set to garba beats. Composed by Ram Sampath, it has been sung by Sukhwinder Singh, Bhoomi Trivedi and Karsan Sagathia. The song is picturised on Shah Rukh and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.
"Raees" is set to release on January 25.
Asked to respond to the buzz about his cameo in Salman Khan starrer "Tubelight", Shah Rukh commented: "I've also heard the news. You should ask the producer of the film. I think he will be the right person to answer this."
