Shahrukh's grand 'Benvenuto'

A VIP 'welcome' is what Shah Rukh Khan got upon his arrival at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Also a special exit from the terminal

Shah Rukh Khan was in Rome on Sunday for the international premiere of My Name Is Khan. After landing, the actor didn't have to go through the regular customs route and was instead granted a VIP exit.

The organisers ensured that the actor was given special treatment. They did not want a repeat of the incident (see box) in the US where the actor was held for questioning for two hours after he landed.

It is learnt that the officials were briefed well in advance about SRK's arrival details and were instructed to give him a 'special' exit.

An insider reveals, "Shah Rukh arrived at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino airport.

On landing, he was greeted by a special convoy that accompanied him to the special exit. The actor also did not have to go through the customs check.

This privilege is mostly extended to politicians and VIPs. An since SRK is a huge star in Italy, they offered him this special welcome.

Aalif Surti of Fox confirms, "They were extremely warm to Shah Rukh and made sure everything was taken care of.

He also got four personal security guards who dropped him off till the exit. They also made sure he was given some food and refreshments on landing."

My Name is Khan releases in Italy with around 100 prints. Surti adds, "Next up, is China. It's a huge deal as something like this hasn't happened in the last 20 years."

In August 2009, immigration officials at a US airport grilled Shah Rukh Khan for two hours because his name came up on a computer alert list.

He was detained for questioning early one morning at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The actor was headed to Chicago to take part in celebrations with the city's South Asian community.

He was frisked and had his luggage searched and the Indian embassy in Washington had to intervene and they let him go after consular officials sought his release.