That was in 2018 during the release of 'Mission Impossible 6'.
Tom Cruise and India share a special bond that goes beyond box office numbers. Just a few months ago, the Hollywood icon lit up Indian social media feeds when he appeared alongside Avneet Kaur during his promotional tour for 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning'. The buzz was instant, but Cruise’s connection with Indian content creators isn’t really a new chapter. In fact, fans with sharp memories may recall a surprising crossover from 2018 that brought together Cruise and one of India’s biggest digital stars.
As the legendary actor celebrates another year of breaking barriers and redefining action cinema, let's revisit a moment that left Indian netizens wide-eyed and thrilled.
Back in 2018, Hollywood sensation Tom Cruise and India’s most dynamic YouTuber, CarryMinati (Ajey Nagar), came together in a rare, spontaneous crossover to promote 'Mission Impossible 6'.
CarryMinati, already a household name in India with millions of subscribers, had flown out to Paris thanks to his network One Digital Entertainment and his management team. There, on July 29, 2018, he became the first Indian YouTuber to interview Cruise live on the red carpet, making it a historic moment signaling the power of creators beyond Bollywood and Hollywood alike.
Their lighthearted exchange covered Cruise’s journey across six 'Mission: Impossible' films, his dedication to performing his own jaw-dropping stunts, and most notably, his deep admiration for India and its people.
A few days later, CarryMinati reflected on the experience in an interview. “It’s like a dream come true,” he shared, calling Cruise “a very cool and humble person, smiling and voluntarily clicking pictures with everyone.” He recounted Cruise discussing his enthusiasm for India, his injuries from performing stunts, and how he loved connecting with people.
On the brief yet iconic encounter, Carry remarked, “As charming and polite as he is, Tom Cruise is genuinely a very humble man too, that's what I made of him in the two minutes I got to talk to him.”
Their conversation also emphasized how far Carry had come, from creating roasting videos from his bedroom to standing alongside a global superstar on one of cinema's biggest stages.
Though it began as a promotional move, the collaboration struck a cultural chord, because...
Global recognition of digital creators: Carry’s inclusion alongside Cruise offered proof that India’s YouTube community had earned worldwide attention.
Breaking promotional norms: Hollywood celebs usually rely on traditional media outlets but here, Cruise embraced an online influencer, signaling a shift in how movies can reach fans.
Bridging audiences: Their candid conversation connected Cruise’s cinematic legacy with Carry’s massive, youthful following, melding fans of spy thrillers and roast comedy alike.
(Credit: CarryMinati)
Their video interview currently boasts over 33 million views (3.3 crore).
Fast forward to 2025. Cruise returned to India along with 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning', once again connecting with Indian creators (this time actress and influencer Avneet Kaur), reinforcing his appreciation for India's creative landscape. But long before those connections, it was CarryMinati’s moment in Paris that broke the ice.
