Shahrukh Khan
This is not the first time Shahrukh Khan was travelling to USA. Then why was he detained for having “Khan” in his name? Is he the only khan travelling to USA? Who are they looking for? or for that matter what are they looking for? If someone has a pashtun or a muslim sirname and has nothing objectionable is his possession then why harrass him? We Asians have such wonderful general knowledge that we are familiar with the names of west’s celebrities, cities and politians but they like to confuse even the names of our countries!
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was detained for two hours at a US airport after American immigration officials spotted the ‘Khan’ in his name, his aide said. 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.
“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.
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.
He said it was ironic that the incident happened on the eve of Aug 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.
Other Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan too are set to attend the event.
CELEB DETAINEES…
Irrfan Khan was stopped for questioning not once but twice. The first time at Los Angeles airport. He was there to receive an Independent Spirit Award for The Namesake. The actor claims he was detained because he is a Muslim.
Neil Nitin Mukesh were also detained in a similar fashion but at New York airport, where he was scheduled to shoot for Yashraj film New York. Immigration Authorities allegedly stopped Neil because they couldn’t believe he was from India.
