Shah Rukh detained in US airport - over 'Khan' name

Comments [ 211 ] By India-Forums.com Staff | 15 August 2009 | 1:37pm

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was Saturday questioned for two hours at the Newark airport in the US 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.'

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni denounced Shah Rukh's detention over religious grounds.

'I don't think that this manner of detaining (in the name of religion) is justified. But in the US, several examples have surfaced where frisking takes place more than required,' she told reporters in New Delhi. 'There should be a tit for tat response.'

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar, a close friend of Shah Rukh, said in Mumbai: 'I am shocked and upset. I am feeling terrible.'

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 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.

Copyright IANS

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Date: 8/17/2009 10:45:10 AMPixieDust91
@harpkaur and pakirani and hindy4lyf
Thank you! I also totally agree with Salman Khan! He knows what he is talking about. The US security was doing its job and I'm glad they were. If normal citizens are ready to be questioned and screened for the security of the nation, why not a "global icon"? I have been questioned and have been screened twice at US airports, and I don't mind.

@ everyone who claims this is a case of discrimination
SRK did appear suspicous. He did not have luggage with him. So if a Muslim man without luggage/ with visa attempts to enter the US, he wouldn't look suspicous? I'm South Asian. I would not mind being questioned or screened if it is for the security of the country. If I'm being screened/questioned, so are others. Be realistic. The US is at war w/ Iraq and Afghanistan. Obviously, US security is not going to French people for being terrorists. Its not racist and its not a discrimination case.
Date: 8/17/2009 9:49:22 AMpallavi25
Im not a big fan of SRK anymore especially since I heard abt his dancing at rich ppl's weddings for money. But as an individual and Bollywood megastar he has every right to complain about being unnecessarily detained at Newark airport. Just becuz other actors didnt protest, doesnt mean he has to be silent too! Im glad he spoke up, whether for film publicity or not!
The other actors remained silent since they were too afraid to speak up against US authorities. But SRK did and now theyre discussing this incident even on local New York and Long Island TV channels, on the news and morning talk shows.
Date: 8/17/2009 9:23:07 AMpallavi25
Another instance of stereotyping and racism: Neil Nitin Mukesh was detained in 2008 at JFK becuz they said hes too "white" to be Indian! They felt he was too fair-skinned and therefore lying abt being a desi Hindu. lol
They think all Indians are dark-skinned, they have no idea how many skin tones are found in India....they are so ignorant sometimes it makes me laugh, sometimes cry. My American co-worker didnt know what or where Jordan was....she said she didnt know much "history" ....Can u beat that? LOL
Date: 8/17/2009 9:16:11 AMpallavi25
Yes, please do research and study statistics of who did not vote for Obama...rich white folks, senior citizens, blue collar rednecks....and who did vote for him....young people, African Americans, Hispanics, who are growing in numbers. I watched CNN avidly before and during elections so I know what Im talking abt. They had whole charts and graphs of voting trends.
Foreigners are allowed to enter India and work there....millions of ppl all over the world come to US, live and work here, then how is US doing us a favor? I think we are doing them a favor by coming here and sharing our intelligence and capabilities.
But if u think we shd be eternally grateful for being "allowed" to live and work here and shd tolerate all discriminations and extra checks at airports, then I have nothing more to say to you....be happy in ur own dream world!
Date: 8/17/2009 8:57:33 AMJassi01
Why making big deal out of it? Just because he is a star he shouldn't get any special treatment when it comes to the safety of others. Officials simply did their job… what's wrong with that? They have every right to inspect him. They don't know who he is. His name was in alert list. So, why blame America being racist? Racism is every where but you can't stamp entire nation as racist country for issues like this. I am living here from 13 yrs and never faced any discrimination personally, and I wouldn't mind if they pull me out for checking, considering the safety of others.
I like SRK as an actor but I don't like his ego. He couldn't see any other star above him and don't even compare him to Big B. He doesn't even come closer. I hate when they call him king khan…seems like they even don't know what's the meaning of a king…this doesn't mean I'm racist…I like all other khans…Aamir and Salman are my favorite. I love them from the bottom of my heart…was this happened to them they wouldn't have reacted this way.
Date: 8/17/2009 8:56:49 AMhindu4lyf
I don't know who you think you are to be classifying millions of ppl as racist bcos they didn't vote for obama! Have you done some research? any statistics? Oh yh..I didn't think so!
There is a reason why europeans are let in more easily, bcos they do not have a very bad track record of terrorism. If that 'desi' does happen to be a bomber (which is more likely in recent years as we have seen) then the american security personnels' heads will be on the line! so get over it as they are DOING THEIR JOB. As long as they only ask me qstn and don't ask me to strip naked, then yeah i'm cool with it. Why should Mr. Khan get any special treatment? :S and yes, it is us Indians who have higher intelligence, which explain why we almost top the rich ppl list in US and all over the world. ;)
Allow? Well it isn't desis country to start off with is it? They IMIGRATED as they were given permission and 'allowed' by the US govt to stay in the country! They are 'allowed' inside a foreign country where they were not born or brought up and they are given the permission to stay there. There is no shame or inferiority in stating that.
I never once denied Obama's African Muslim heritage cos as per my knowledge, both his dad and step dad were both Muslims but i;m saying just bcos your parents follow a certain religion, doesn't make you a follower of the same religion. Please explain what a half Muslim means because if you call yourself a Muslim then that means you follow the ideals of the religion, or atleast you try to, so what does being half mean? Just the fact that your dad was one? I'm sorry but many Muslim members on IF themselves have told me again and again that there is no such thing. Yes, he is half AFRICAN.
Anyway, despite what you think, I support Obama, I just don't appreciate you calling people racist for not voting for him. I'm pretty sure that makes you a stereotype! :@ How about the fact that McCain has a few loyal party supporters? or are they all raci...
Date: 8/17/2009 7:55:22 AMpallavi25
@hindu4lyf: Yes, most of the ppl who didnt vote for Obama ARE racist! They are voters from Southern and Mid-western states which are full of rednecks! They dont care abt policy, theyre too ignorant. They vote like their church and leaders tell them to...
Dude, read my post first....I meant USA, not UK....which admits Europeans more easily than South Asians. Desis are high earners here becuz of their intelligence, education, ingenuity and business acumen, not becuz of the kindness of American Govt.!
Why do u use the term "allow"?? That reveals a feeling of inferiority...if they admit people from all over the world, then why not us desis?
If Obama doesnt deny his African Muslim parentage why are u so hellbent on denying it? Theres no shame in being half Muslim! Do US birth certificates have religion in them? I dont think so.....have to check my son's BC then? LOL
Date: 8/17/2009 6:50:42 AMtomnjerry2
I think the europeans n amrericans shud be treated the same they doing with we South Asians !!!

Our countires hav been attacked n suffered more than n e thing ..... so our security shud be more tightened !!!!

And two countries of Soth Aisa have been completely destroyed by America..... no need to say which two !!! huh !!!
Date: 8/17/2009 6:30:49 AMhindu4lyf
LMAOO! So your saying that everyone who didn't vote for Obama are racist? Seriously are you out of your mind?! What if they didn't like Obama's policy, you have no right to call them racist! :@ At the end of the day, a majority white country voted for a mixed race president. End of. Just bcos sum didn't, you have no right to label them a racist, they may have other political reason for which you probably don't understand!
Yes, he was born half muslim, but it doesn't make him one. Cos one choses their own religion. Nowhere on birth certificates or whatever will it say half a religion, it will say just one.
Erm dude your the one accusing Americans of being racist, so I'm saying if they were that bludi racist, why did they allow South asians into the country? Hell, I love the fact that there are so many s. asians there cos at the end of the day according to the US statistics, us INDIANS earn the 2nd highest salaries and in the UK we are #1! :D
and europeans get an easy permit in 2 the UK cos they are part of the EU! Big deal!! My relatives in spain can come over hassle free whenever they want. Indians are always different cos we require a visa! ;) It's nothing to do with racism my friend. Stop blaming it all on racism cos otherwise none of us would be abroad enjoying the freedom we do right now.
Date: 8/17/2009 6:12:54 AMpallavi25
@hindu4lyf: Plz read my comment carefully...I didnt say all Americans are racist, but yes, many ARE! At least the airport personnel are....and the ppl who did not vote for Obama ARE! Why dont u check the numbers who voted for the other party? Did u watch Fox network before the elections? They couldnt stop talking abt Obama's race and religion.
Obama was BORN half Muslim, he chose to be Christian as he grew up here with his mother and maternal family. With mixed heritage its usually called half Muslim, half Christian, thats a fact!
UK is also racist no doubt. Racial profiling is done there too!
And what do u mean by "letting" South Asians into the country? Why wont they? They allow all kinds of trashy Europeans come here, then why not South Asians? In fact the Europeans get immigration much more easily than us! Even their relatives get green cards much faster!
Read History my Dear! For a long time, Asians/Indians were not allowed in this country, till 1965 bill was passed. Europeans always had easy entry thats why u wont find any Indian names in Ellis Island Museum.