Orlando Bloom finally sees the Taj Mahal, forgets India’s in-hospitality
On Friday, we witnessed an embarrassing commotion over British superstar Orlando Bloom’s visa when he had to fly back to London because of visa ssues. Well, all is well now as the British superstar flew back to Delhi and proceeded to the Taj Mahal on Sunday morning with politician Amar Singh and producer Sheetal Talwar.
Actor Orlando Bloom’s Christmas week did not start off well. The Lord of the Rings actor — after arriving in India this week — found out to his dismay that the e-visa he had applied for was rejected — and this happened after he landed in India on Saturday, at 1.30 am! He was then promptly sent back to London on a 4 am flight.
Surprisingly, Bloom was invited to the country by officials from the Samajwadi Party to promote tourism in Uttar Pradesh. He was also scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal as part of his India trip and politician Amar Singh and Sheetal Talwar (Orlando starred in her movie Romans) were to accompany him.
(READ: Orlando deported from India!)
Orlando, says Talwar, was overwhelmed by the experience. No, not of being deported from Delhi but of seeing the Taj Mahal.
Says Talwar, “The only purpose of Orlando’s visit was to see the Taj Mahal. He flew to Delhi on late Thursday night as the Uttar Pradesh government’s guest and had to fly back the same night in spite of being very unwell.”
A doctor was called on the Delhi airport to check Orlando’s infected stomach. The doctor recommended that the actor be hospitalized. The airport authorities apparently offered to delay the next flight to London until Orlando got onto it. The actor finally left with his bad stomach the same night.
Apparently on Saturday morning the Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj intervened.
Says Talwar, “She got the Indian embassy in London specially opened on Saturday morning, had Orlando’s visa cleared and he was back in Delhi on Saturday night.”
On Sunday, Orlando was in Agra with Amar Singh and Sheetal Talwar.
Says Talwar, “The minute Orlando lay his eyes on the Taj Mahal all visa and stomach ailments were forgotten. He just stood there gazing and finally sat there meditating for half an hour as crowd of tourists began to recognize him.”
When asked if he is unhappy about his deportation? Talwar says, “Orlando isn’t overjoyed with what happened. We should’ve been more welcoming and not turned him back because of the visa issue.”
Not many know this but Orlando shares a connection with India. The actor's mother was born in Kolkata. Not only that, but Orlando's grandfather, who was a doctor, spent a lot of time in India during Bristish Raj.
Despite all the commotion, the actor, who grew up seeing the photographs of the Taj Mahal, is happy with his Agra trip. The actor feels wonderful after seeing the Taj Mahal in person and living in the moment. Orlando feels that the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful structure that symbolizes human genius and excellence.
