Hollywood star Orlando Bloom arrives in India after delay because of visa problem

NEW DELHI – British actor Orlando Bloom has been allowed entry into India after being turned away a day earlier from New Delhi’s international airport because he did not have a valid visa, officials said Monday.

The “Lord of the Rings” star was able to enter India after the External Affairs ministry intervened and gave him a special visa.

Bloom was invited by the top elected official of Uttar Pradesh state to promote tourism. He applied for an e-visa and arrived Saturday without realizing there was a problem with his application.

Bloom was forced to return to London but arrived in India the following day and was seen posing at the Taj Mahal on Sunday.

An External Affairs ministry spokesman said Bloom must have landed without the confirmation email or forgotten to check whether the visa had been granted.

Bloom is best known for his performances in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. He has also played roles in such Hollywood blockbuster films as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Troy” and “Kingdom of Heaven.”