MUMBAI MIRROR (January 4, 2017)

Hollywood star Vin Diesel is set to visit India later this month to promote his upcoming release, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, which marks desi girl Deepika Padukone’s Hollywood debut.

The actress confirmed the news on Twitter: “Vin, India is waiting for you with bated breath. Will meet you soon on January 12 and January 13. Lots of love from us (sic).” xXx is releasing in India on January 14, before anywhere else in the world.

Deepika is currently on a promotional tour with the film’s team that kicked off with Mexico. “Vin’s itinerary is yet to be fixed but he will make sure the movie is well-promoted for the Indian fans as it is releasing here first,” a source revealed.
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 4, 2017)

It's official. Fast and Furious star Vin Diesel will be coming down to Mumbai next week for the promotions of xXx: Return of Xander Cage featuring Deepika Padukone. The actress put all speculation about his ‘probable’ visit to the country to rest yesterday with a tweet in Hindi that read, “Vin, India besabri se aapka intezaar kar raha hai; jald hi mulakat hogi, January 12 aur 13 ko. Hum sabka dher saara pyaar (Vin, India is anxiously waiting for you. We shall meet soon, on January 12 and 13. Lots of love from us.”) Along with the tweet, she also posted a Hindi poster of the movie.

While the Hindi tweet seemed a tad out of place (Diesel wouldn’t know our maatru bhasha, right?), a source close to the production house revealed it was put up deliberately in what is the first step to the Hollywood star’s desi welcome. “We plan to receive receive him at the airport with band baaja and garland. As the host, Deepika wants nothing short of a perfect welcome, so that Diesel has a warm, enjoyable stay here. He will be introduced to mouth-watering Indian delicacies too,” adds the insider.

Dippy and Diesel will start the film’s promotional campaign from Mexico and tour a few other countries before landing in aamchi Mumbai. The action-thriller will hit Indian theatres on January 14, a week before its worldwide release.

Viacom18, which is producing the film, has sent a tentative itinerary to the Hollywood actor’s team for approval. “Of the many things on the list, one of them is a big party to be hosted by Deepika, with the top guns of Bollywood in attendance. As of now, we have given him two options for his stay — top hotels in Colaba and central Mumbai. The latter would be ideal since it’s closer to the multiplex where the movie will premiere,” adds the source.

Deepika plays a huntress in the third instalment of the xXx franchise.