Do not feel like stepping on American soil any more: Shahrukh Khan

ATLANTIC CITY/CHICAGO: After his "ordeal" at the hands of immigration officials at the Newark airport, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan has said he does not feel like stepping on American soil any more but ruled out seeking an apology for the incident which was denied by US officials.

Driving straight to the venue of a function at the luxury Trump Taj Mahal hotel in Atlantic City in tattered jeans, a white T-shirt, a brownish coat and a muffler since his baggage was yet to arrive, Khan told the audience that "I was treated shabbily just because I happened to have Khan as my last name."

Profusely apologising to his fans for arriving two hours late at the casino city of New Jersey for Saturday's function, 'King' Khan stunned the large number of Indian-Americans when he told them that he does not feel like stepping on the American soil any more, but it is the love and affection of millions of his fans in the US which would bring him to this country again and again.

Sharing his "ordeal" which he underwent as he landed at the Newark International Liberty Airport on a British Airways flight, with his fans, the 43-year-old actor said he was grilled by immigration officials.

"It was very unprofessional of the airport security staff of not allowing me to use my cell phone to contact my local organisers," he told the audience, who were literally taken aback by what they heard from their superstar.

Shahrukh not singled out because of his name: US Customs

NEW YORK: The United States on Saturday denied the allegations that Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan was detained and questioned for two hours
at the Newark airport or that the actor was singled out because of his name or Asian identity.

The allegations "happen to be incorrect," the spokesman of the US Customs and Border Protection Elmer Camacho said.

The spokesman said Shahrukh was inspected because his baggage had not arrived.

"His documents and papers were checked, which were found to be in correct order," Camacho said.

After a "normal" check at the airport, Shahrukh was taken to a different room where he was waiting for his turn since many other people were already there. The entire process ended in one hour, the spokesman said.

The entire process, he said, was handled in a "professional manner" and there was no evidence of Khan being pointed out because of his name or Asian identity.

To a question on Khan's contention that he was asked by immigration officials about his work in the US, the spokesman said "it's our policy not to discuss all specific (details) of any traveller".

However, when any travller enters the US, he or she is subjected to inspection, he added.

Exclusive Video: Shah Rukh Khan at the event post detention

He somehow looks like he's trying to control his anger over the detention issue when explaining to the audience. As usual, Shah Rukh looks DAMN HOT!!!

Exclusive Video: This is not the first time: SRK to NDTV

Speaking exclusively to NDTV over the detention episode, Shah Rukh Khan said his name popped up on their computer screen and he was taken for questioning for two hours. He added that this wasn't the first time.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

Exclusive Video: Karan Johar reacts to SRK's detention

Producer-director Karan Johar, who is also a close friend of Shah Rukh's, says he is upset over the detention incident at Newark Airport.

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Update: Shah Rukh Khan detained and questioned at US airport

Colleagues express disgust

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was on Saturday (August 15) questioned for two hours at New Jersey’s Newark airport over his surname and was freed only after Indian diplomats intervened.

The Indian government and entertainment industry reacted furiously after the 43-year-old actor, named by Newsweek last year as one of the world's 50 most powerful men, revealed how he was detained and stopped from even using his mobile telephone.

Speaking to CNN-IBN channel on telephone from the US, Shah Rukh appeared to shrug off the embarrassing episode saying he had suffered similar treatment previously too.

The incident happened as the hugely popular actor, whose fans number millions in India and abroad, was on his way to Chicago to attend an event related to India's Independence Day.

Other Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan too are set to attend the function.

"They checked me because I was an Asian," the actor said. "They wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying."

Shah Rukh's manager Niloufer Qureshi earlier told IANS over telephone from Mumbai: "He was detained because his surname is Khan. He was kept until officials from the Indian embassy intervened."

Asked if he got into trouble because of his giveaway Muslim name, Shah Rukh, who is married to a Hindu, said: "Certain countries have issues with my name." He quickly added: "I am very proud of my name."

Shah Rukh admitted that he became "greatly worried" as the American officials piled him with questions - mainly about his travel to the US.

The actor said a large number of Indians, including organisers of the Chicago event, were waiting outside at the airport to receive him. Indian diplomats came to his rescue when they heard about his plight.

He said it was ironic that the incident happened on the eve of August 15 - when freedom is celebrated by Indians.

"I personally feel it is over and done," he said, sounding conciliatory. Asked if he felt like reacting in a similar way, he replied: "If they want I can frisk Angelina Jolie when she is here (India)."

Undoubtedly one of Bollywood's biggest and most highly paid stars, Shah Rukh has acted in nearly 70 films in a career spanning 17 years.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni Saturday reacted angrily to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan being detained at a US airport, saying it was not justified.

"I don't think that this manner of detaining the name of religion is justified. But in the United States of America several examples have surfaced where frisking takes place more than required, according to us," Soni, who was the tourism minister in the previous government, told reporters here.

"I have always felt - even when I was frisked there - that the way they frisk us we should do the same for them here," she added.

"He was detained because his surname is Khan. He was kept until officials from the Indian embassy intervened. Now he has been released," Niloufer Qureshi, Shah Rukh's manager, told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.

In April, former president A.P.J. Kalam was also frisked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here as he was boarding a flight of US carrier Continental Airlines.

The incident had created waves in parliament in July, with MPs from across the spectrum expressing outrage over Kalam being reportedly subjected to a full body check and even asked to remove his footwear as he waited on the aerobridge to board the Newark-bound flight.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash has said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of

India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.

"The matter was taken up with the US embassy," Prakash said.

In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: "We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place."

Shah Rukh was a "global icon" and "he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films," the envoy added.

Describing Shah Rukh as the "pride of India", Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi expressed surprise he was detained at the airport.

"Shah Rukh Khan is the pride of India. I am quite surprised that he was detained in the Newark airport," Ravi told IANS on the phone from Kochi.

Here's what King Khan's friends and colleagues had to say:

Karan Johar: I am shocked and upset...feeling terrible for Shah Rukh.

Priyanka Chopra: Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It's such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. Shah Rukh Khan is a world figure for god's sake. Get real!

Kabir Khan: When I heard this news, I was so surprised...it has almost become a routine - if you have a Muslim name you are bound to be questioned. It happened with me thrice in the US. I was stopped by immigration officials for three to five hours... they don't care whether you are a celebrity or whoever. But when it comes to Shah Rukh, it doesn't take more than 20 seconds to figure out who he is - any search engine (on the Internet) will give more information on him than Hollywood stars Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and despite that if it took them two hours to figure out, then its harassment. Post 9/11 it is prejudice to have a person's name and religion checked and it is very discouraging as well.

Pritish Nandy: This is the problem with law enforcers worldwide...Truly obnoxious. Cops don't want to recognise anybody. They love to show their power and authority, especially in the US.

Kunal Kohli: It's really disgusting. Even if they had done a Google search on their mobiles, they would have seen who he is. What were they checking for two hours on their super computers? To detain him for two hours is ridiculous, disgusting and an insult to us Indians.

Arindam Chaudhari: Shah Rukh has just finished his film "My Name Is Khan" in which his character tries to prove to the Americans that he is not a terrorist. I'm sure he never thought it would happen in real life too...What a shame! It's shocking and shameful because I am sure Shah Rukh would have had to explain who he is. It's Shah Rukh so it's become big news. But there many who constantly go through this every day. It's really sad.

Eesha Koppikhar: I am not sure of the exact events but if he was detained just because he is a Muslim with Khan as a last name, it is very wrong.

I'm 'angry, humiliated': Shah Rukh

Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday termed the incident at Newark Airport in the US as "uncalled" for saying the experience made him feel "angry and humiliated".

"I was really hassled at the American Airport because of my name being Khan...The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic)," the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.

"Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.

Khan, who was on his way to Chicago to attend an Independence Day function was was detained at the Newark Airport and questioned for about two hours before the Indian mission intervened and secured his release.

"It was absolutely was uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month...just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay...checked my bags...I felt angry and humiliated," Khan, who had just finished shooting of his latest movie "My Name is Khan", said.

Update: Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan held at Newark Airport; claims racial profiling due to Muslim name

A Bollywood superstar cited as one of the world's 50 most influential men claims he was racially profiled by security at Newark Airport.

"I was really being hassled, perhaps because of my name being Khan," actor Shah Rukh Khan charged Saturday, a day after he was detained for two hours.

"These guys wouldn't let me through."

The 43-year-old "King of Bollywood" said he was waiting for his bags Friday when security pulled him aside after his name popped up on a computer screen.

"I was really taken aback," he told an Indian television station.

"I did not want to say anything just in case they took everything wrong, because I am a little worried about Americans because they do have this issue when your name is Muslim."

Khan - named by Newsweek last year as one of the top 50 most influential men in the world - was heading to Chicago for a celebration of India's independence day.

He recently signed a deal with Fox Star Studios to finance and distribute his new movie, "My Name is Khan" - the story of a Muslim man mistaken for a terrorist in post-9/11 America.

--- NewYork Daily News

Update: SRK was allowed one phone call

The Bollywood Badshah, who flew to the US on the night of August 13 to participate in a Meet-and-Greet with the NRI fraternity in Chicago and Houston for Independence Day, was in for a rude shock when he was detained by the US airport authorities at the Newark Airport for close to two hours.

Reliable sources say that King Khan was reportedly held in the immigration detention area and repeatedly questioned.

The reasons on why such an unfortunate incident happened with the biggest Indian actor is still to be ascertained. News has it that Indian/Pakistani travellers at the airport recognised the actor and kept yelling for him. However, the foreign officials weren't exactly paying heed.

News also has it that after an hour-and-a-half, SRK was allowed one phone call to the Indian Embassy. The actor was released after Indian authorities intervened in the matter. SRK's closest friend Karan Johar, who woke up yesterday to the news of the actor's detention, is shocked to say the least. Ironically, they spent some time in the US lately making Karan's next film My Name Is Khan.

"SRK spoke to me earlier. He is saddened by the unfortunate incident. As a member of his family all I can say is that I'm upset that this had to happen to a man of Shah Rukh's stature, achievement and credibility. He is a global icon and it is sad that on the occasion of the Indian Independence Day, the country's biggest actor was interrogated especially when he had flown in to celebrate the occasion with the NRI fraternity," said Karan. News of Shah Rukh's run with US airport authorities created shock waves in Bollywood.