Actor Orlando Bloom deported, Sushma Swaraj comes to his aid

NEW DELHI: British actor Orlando Bloom was today deported to the UK soon after his arrival here as his E-visa had been rejected following which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj came to his help to get a visa.

The 38-year-old actor, who was invited by the Uttar Pradesh Government for a state event, was told after he landed here that his e-visa has been rejected and subsequently, he was deported, according to sources.

Following this, former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh spoke to Swaraj seeking her intervention in the matter, they said.

"The Minister asked the Foreign Secretary to speak to the Indian High Commissioner in London to issue a 'Tatkal' (urgent) visa to the British actor so that he could attend the state function," the sources said.

Following the direction, the actor was granted visa.

The British actor rose to fame after his performance in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

His best-known roles include Legolas in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Paris in Troy, and Balian de Ibelin in Kingdom of Heaven.