Did Tom Cruise Pay Fans in India To Greet Him While Promoting ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol?’

When Tom Cruise arrived in India on Saturday to promote ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ he was greeted enthusiastically by 200 fans.

However, according to reports in the Indian press, the crowd wasn’t in a frenzy because they were in the presence of Hollywood royalty, but rather because the had been paid about three dollars and given a free lunch to cheer Cruise.

Ravi Sharma, who runs an Indian event planning firm, told the Wall Street Journal’s India blog that such arrangements aren’t uncommon in his country. “B-grade Bollywood actors are usually welcomed by paid fans,” Sharma explained. “But for event organizers to put Tom Cruise in the same category — shocking.”

The hired guns were reportedly paid $2.90 for their efforts and even given a free lunch, as well.

For the record, Wizcraft International Entertainment, the organizers of Cruise’s trip, has denied paying fans to greet the star.

‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ opens December 21.

[The Wall Street Journal]