MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA: Bollywood newcomer Veer Pahariya, who made his debut in the action-drama Sky Force alongside Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan, recently shared an unforgettable fanboy moment with Hollywood legend Tom Cruise.
In a candid revelation, 30-year-old actor opened up about how meeting Cruise had a profound impact on him, not only as an actor but also as a person.
Known for his discipline and professionalism, Cruise has long been an inspiration to actors worldwide, and Pahariya is no exception.
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Veer Pahariya shares humbling encounter with Tom Cruise
In a candid conversation with Peeping Moon, the 30-year-old actor recalled how meeting Cruise left a lasting impact on him, not only as an actor but also as a person.
Pahariya, who had long admired the legendary actor for his discipline and professionalism, shared that the encounter was both humbling and inspiring.
Recounting the moment, Pahariya revealed, “I was actually in the UK about 7-8 months ago, shooting a scene for ‘Sky Force.’ I was walking on the road, wearing a black hoodie, and it was quite dark. Suddenly, I looked to my left and saw a black Bentley pull up, with three paps.”
The star-struck actor, who was simply out for a walk, got caught off guard when the paparazzi flashes startled him.
He turned around and was stunned to find none other than Tom Cruise standing before him.
“I got goosebumps,” Pahariya recalled, still in awe of the encounter. The young actor, still early in his career, was clearly starstruck by the presence of one of Hollywood’s biggest icons.
He admitted that the unexpected meeting left him completely overwhelmed, but what happened next made the experience even more unforgettable.
Pahariya described how Cruise’s security guard initially stopped him as he tried to approach the superstar.
Determined to meet his idol, he didn’t let the obstacle deter him. “I am from India, and I want to meet him!” Pahariya recalled telling the guard, pleading to get a chance to meet the actor.
To Pahariya’s surprise, Cruise noticed him and instructed the guard, “Let him in.” This simple gesture from Cruise was enough to leave Pahariya deeply moved, and the interaction turned into a pivotal moment in his life.
‘Sky Force’ star reflects on the life-changing lesson from Tom Cruise
This heartfelt encounter not only left Pahariya thrilled but also imparted an important lesson. “From this experience, I learned… There is no bigger star in the world than him. He is known everywhere around the world, but despite achieving so much, he is so humble.”
He added, “I could have been anyone walking on the road, and yet he gave a fan a photo. The lesson here is that nobody should ever have the ego to say no to anybody.”
The interaction with Cruise reinforced Pahariya’s belief that staying grounded is key, even after achieving immense fame. He vowed to “never say no” if anyone asks to take a picture with him in the future.
