Mission accomplished: Tom Cruise[s] into Dubai

The wait is over for fans who have been eagerly counting the days when Hollywood hottie Tom Cruise will jet into town.

According to Indian media reports, the actor flew out of Mumbai where he was promoting his latest, “Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol” or “MI4” as its popularly known, in the early hours on Monday morning.

Where the actor, along with his entourage of stars, including lead actress Paula Patton and Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor are staying is anybody’s guess, but news is rife that the trio will probably return to the scene of the ‘crime’ or rather the venue where they extensively shot portions of their film last year: Burj Khalifa.

Despite a private screening for select Bollywood actors and fans in Mumbai, “MI4” will host its official star-studded premiere tomorrow in the emirate, marking the opening of the weeklong Dubai International Film Festival.

The film’s latest nail-biting plot sees Cruise’s Ethan Hunt framed for a terrorist bombing of the Kremlin.

This naturally marks the return of the entire Impossible Missions teams considering are disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the president initiates “Ghost Protocol”, essentially erasing the agency from existence.

Left with no resources or backup, the team must find a way on their own to clear their names and prevent another attack.

To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF fugitives whose personal motives he does not fully know or trust.

“MI4’s” extensive film shoot in Dubai and its corresponding world premiere here will certainly give a boost to the tourism numbers to the emirate, say industry experts.

In an earlier statement, Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh, Director General of the Dubai Government Media Office, said: “We await with great excitement the return of the “Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol” filmmakers, crew, and talent to Dubai in December.

“Dubai’s continuing relationship with the film is a mark of trust in Dubai's world-class infrastructure, capabilities and leadership.

“This relationship is a point of pride not only for the emirate but for the region as a whole. Dubai continues to welcome serious filmmakers from around the world, and remains ready to extend all assistance and support necessary to ensure the success of their films...”     

Cruise vows Indian fans

While UAE fans, not to forget the film’s local cast and crew, wait with bated breath to see Cruise in the flesh, and of course the finished movie too, organisers here are already expecting a frenzy just like the one that followed the Hollywood actor around his tour of Delhi, Agra and Mumbai with host, Kapoor.

Talking to the Indian media, Cruise was quoted as saying: “I have wanted to come here [India] all my life. I kept telling Anil [Kapoor], a great actor and an incredible host, ‘I promise you I will come to India’.

He added: “When we were at the Taj Mahal, I told him ‘You have to pinch me. I can’t believe I am here.”

Cruise was in India for three days between December 3-5.

The film’s special screening in Mumbai on Sunday also saw co-stars Kapoor and Paula Patton, along with Bollywood brigade, including Sonam Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan and Rajnikanth’s son-in-law Dhanush of “Kolaveri Di” fame.

When quizzed by the media, Patton said that she would love to work with Aiswarya Rai Bachchan one day.

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