Vin Diesel Welcomed In India With Fanfare

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.