Anil Kapoor joined global fans in celebrating Tom Cruise’s Academy Honorary Award at the 2025 Governors Awards, taking to Instagram to praise his Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol co-star for his dedication, passion and generosity. The Bollywood actor, who has often spoken warmly about his bond with Cruise, marked the honour as long overdue and deeply deserved.
Anil Kapoor’s tribute
Sharing a heartfelt note on Tuesday, Anil wrote, “Congratulations, dear friend, on this incredible honour. Your passion, discipline, and generosity are unmatched. The world has always admired you, and now they have honoured you with what you richly deserve.”
He added that Cruise’s recognition represents “a testament to all the artists around the world who pour their heart and soul into cinema,” before expressing gratitude for Cruise’s friendship: “Thank you for your brilliance and for your friendship, which I will cherish forever… @TomCruise.”
An accompanying Instagram Story screenshot showed the actor’s warm message of appreciation.
Their Mission: Impossible connection
Anil and Cruise last shared screen space in the 2011 blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, where Anil played the flamboyant billionaire Brij Nath opposite Cruise’s iconic Ethan Hunt.
Tom Cruise on receiving the Oscar
Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most influential stars for over four decades, reflected on the emotional power of cinema during his acceptance speech. As reported by People, he said, “The cinema takes me around the world. It helps me to appreciate and respect differences. It shows me our shared humanity… In that theatre, we laugh together, we feel together, we hope together.”
He also recalled the childhood moment that sparked his passion for films: “I was just a little kid in a darkened theatre, and I remember that beam of light cutting across the room and exploding onto the screen. Suddenly, the world was so much larger than the one I knew.”