Shahrukh detained in US airport, released after questioning

New York, Aug 15 (PTI) Bollywood superstar Shahrukh
Khan had an unnerving experience early this morning at the
Newark Airport in the US when he was detained and questioned
for about two hours before the Indian mission intervened and
secured his release.

43-year-old Khan was detained by the immigration
officers, who wanted to know why he was visiting the US and
other such questions, after his name popped up on the computer
screen at the counter.

The actor, who was heading towards Chicago to
participate in the Independence Day celebrations, said it was
a "little embarrassing" for a self-respecting like him.

"It is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on
their checklist," he told Indian television channels over
telephone.

In New Delhi, US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer described
Khan as a "global icon", who is a welcome guest in the US.

Khan said: "I was taken aback...I was taken to a room
where there were several others waiting for secondary
immigration checks. Obviously most of them were Asians."

"I was waiting for my bags... I thought it was nice of
them to take me to another room... but that was apparently a
second check," a visibly upset Khan said, adding "I had my
papers in order."

Khan said he kept telling the authorities that he was
an actor and requested them to allow him to speak to his
contacts in the US, but was not allowed to make calls
initially.

"They said calls are not allowed. But, later they said
that I can make one. Then I sent messages to my secretary, my
home and (Congress MP Rajiv) Shukla," he said.

Khan said Shukla informed the Indian Mission, who
immediately contacted the authorities concerned and secured
his release. "They (Indian officials) were really helpful," he
said.

Khan said there were some immigration officials who
knew him and vouched for him but declined to entertain his
plea, saying they have to follow rules.

"I have always been worried about travelling to
America. I shy away from all this. I don't look like a
terrorist going to do anything to the country.

"I did feel bad. I felt angry. I am glad my family
wasn't there. God knows what they would have done to them,"
Khan said.

"I told them I am a movie star and had recently
visited the country for the shooting for a film," Khan said,
he said, adding that the particular immigration officer
refused to oblige.

Khan, who has been frequenting the US to shoot for his
film, the latest being 'My Name is Khan', said it is not for
the first time such an incident has happened to him.

"This is not the first time that this has happened.
But I was alone this time. It is a little embarrassing," Khan
said.

The actor, who will return to India on August 20,
declined to term the incident as "racial profiling", but said
it had to do with his Muslim name.

"I am always reluctant to come down here (US). They
always do it and it's odd travelling alone. My guard wasn't
given visa from India and I was feeling disturbed. They kept
on asking silly and irrelevant questions like phone numbers
and hotel number," Khan said.

The incident comes two months after Malayalam
superstar Mammootty was detained at the JFK airport due to his
surname Ismail. Legendary singer Mukhesh's grandson actor Neil
Nitin Mukesh had alleged that he was detained at an American
airport as authorities said that he did not look like an
Indian. PTI