After his “ordeal” at the hands of immigration officials at the Newark airport, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh 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 U.S. 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, Mr. 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, Mr. Khan told the large number of Indian-Americans that he did not feel like stepping on American soil any more, but it was the love and affection of millions of his fans in the U.S. 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.
A visibly shattered Mr. Khan said: “I have travelled throughout the world for my shooting and also as brand ambassador for major products, but I have never been treated like this before.”
Later in Chicago, where he had gone to take part in the South Asian Carnival on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, Mr. Khan told PTI that “I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure.”
Asked whether he would seek an apology for the incident, the actor replied in the negative. Soon after the incident, which sparked angry reactions, the actor said he was detained and questioned by immigration officials after his name matched with some of those on a common checklist.
PTI reports from Bikaner:
India to take up matter
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Sunday that India would “strongly” take up the detention of Mr. Khan with the U.S.
“We will take up the issue with the United States government strongly. Such incidents involving Indians due to their religion or nationality should not happen... we will not accept it,” Mr. Patel told reporters.
Keywords: Shah Rukh Khan, detain, U.S., racism, Bollywood
Comments:
I think Mr. Khan is making a big deal of this. I guess he is used to the VVVIP, VVIP ,VIP syndrome in India and hence is not quite used to being treated like everybody else.
What's all the fuss about? A routine procedure, though admittedly bothersome. Must be difficult for his ego not to be recognised by an American customs and immigration inspector instead of being fawned over obsequiously. I have seen his entourage at Bombay airport jump to the head of the queue and have seen him sauntering at his leisure, bypassing elderly people and women with children, who should have had precedence. Let our celebrities not get too carried away with themselves - let them recollect that Gandhi used to travel third-class. A dose of humility never hurt anyone. And why are we wasting print space on these people when there are other, more pressing issues at hand?
What's all the fuss about? A routine procedure, though admittedly bothersome. Must be difficult for his ego not to be recognised by an American customs and immigration inspector instead of being fawned over obsequiously. I have seen his entourage at Bombay airport jump to the head of the queue and have seen him sauntering at his leisure, bypassing elderly people and women with children, who should have had precedence. Let our celebrities not get too carried away with themselves - let them recollect that Gandhi used to travel third-class. A dose of humility never hurt anyone. And why are we wasting print space on these people when there are other, more pressing issues at hand?
no one is above law ,respect the law of land.in the national intrest security staff at USA airport has done what they are suppose to do.nothing to feel bad
fortunate Or unfortunate one has to follow the security drill
if SRK is brand ambassader,traviling world wide -it is for his business
no way he is excused to for go security drill so accept the reality that none is above law.
The Shar Rukh Khan episode is blown out of proportion. After the 9/11 the U.S. has imposed stricter vigilance on passengers. Every passenger has to subject himself/herself to routine security checks. Even Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President, was subjected to routine check and he made no fuss of the incident. It is our politicians and film personalities who expect more VIP treatment.
The Shar Rukh Khan episode is blown out of proportion. After the 9/11 the US has imposed stricter vigilance on passengers. As such it is incumbant on every passenger to subject himself/herslef to a routine security check ups. Even Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President was subjected to routine check up and he made no fuss of the incident. It is our politicians and film personalities expect more VIP treatment at all places of their visit..
Judging by the huge queue of people standing outside the US Consulate here in Mumbai, I think I can say that SRK is definitely in the minority of Indians when he says he "doesn't feel like stepping on US soil"
Its quiet natural for a officer in the US Immigration /Checkpoint authorities to carry out checks for security reasons as defined in their guideline,just because its Sharuk Khan do they have to do anything special ? They have the rights to stop anyone ask questions which is their duty which they usually do for anyone.
However Arun, you forget to mention that we should treat Americans and other country people in just the same way at our airports.
Mr Roemer, why doesn't the US, a leader in cutting edge technology, issue visas with special markers to 'safe' persons whose names might trigger red flags at entry point airports? Answer: the US Govt just does not care enough to spend the money necessary to preserve the dignity of 'aliens'.
All of us Asians are considered collateral damage, and provide practical training exercises for immigration officials.
These incidents trigger another thought. Once upon a time traveling a lot was considered a privilege, but now we have to practice restrains, and make travels only when it is that much a necessity. Not only in the case of foreign travels but applicable to inland travels also. Let us make the public transport system less crowded for making a tension-less travel to those who are performing travels under great necessity, and let us not bring home/ invite home epidemics. Let us help governments to bring down security and health bills. Let us reduce pollution...yes it is a simple life concept.
Every airport has its own security related procedure and be he actor/minister/VIP should be part of this. There should not be any problem with our actors to follow these procedures and there is nothing to feel degraded by foreign authorities. Yes, it was bad on part of U.S.Immigration not to allow Khan from making a phone call. No one is above the law whether in their own home country or in a foreign nation.
Mr.praful Patel has been really active in saying these sentences : we will strongly take up the issue with the US officials.
I am aksing why so suddenly? Before SRK many muslims from india were being subjected to similar checks where was the airlines minister then?
My suggestion is that the Minister concentrate on the crisis in Air India and not on these silly issues.
Security and safety of every individual is paramount.Why is frisking and random check of passengers considered so offensive (specifically by celebrities and politicians)? It is for the safety of everyone. He was just questioned and let off - he was not charged or deported. So why all the fuss? What if someone does a prosthetic makeup like Sharukh and commits an act of terror? We have already seen the use of prosthetic crime being committed in the U.K.
Welcome to the USA. Please understand that this is a greatest country on the planet, where even the family of the U.S. President would not be tolerated for bypassing the law. My advise to Shah Rukh Khan, get over it.. Life is bigger than making a 20-minute incident into a big deal. Get over it. The procedure is to make everyone follow the same law.
SRK is a human being like any other Indian. Why is it so important that the Minister wants to take this matter serious when thousands are people are needing the A(H1N1)vaccine? Come on Minister, SRK is not the only one who voted in the country.
So SRK thinks he should be treated differently just because he is SRK. Well you were a Khan before you are SRK. You get treated like other Khan and you have the Indian Ministry wanting to stand up for you. So an Actor from Bollywood is what the India Ministry is working for. No wonder people like me in India are ignored by the government. We should change to Jai Bollyowwd instead of Jai Hind.
Its strange, I have travelled to NY last five years and have never been drilled by any officer. There is something wrong with the whole thing.
Prime minister should invite Shah Rukh Khan and the US immigration officer for a beer and discuss the issue over at the 7, Race course road, New Delhi to sort the issue.
Shahrukh is an ordinary Indian as far as the immigration officials are concerned. He does not hold a diplomatic visa neither was he invited by the U.S. government. Then why the fuss???
Mr.Khan, if you are bothered by the U.S.'s security policy, please don't visit the U.S. again. Unlike India, the U.S. treats everyone equally. Don't play the minority card here. You are neither a dignitary nor a diplomat. We all know you will eat your words and will be back in the U.S. soon.
The security check must continue. We should not make a hue and cry over these procedural matters
The extra security check is random for most of the travellers. But for people having certain surnames it is certain that they will be picked all the time. I'm sorry for you Mr. SRK but don't be surprised if you have to go through this again. All my friends who share your surname usually include extra two hours in their travel itinerary and avoid flying when ever they can.
The extra security check is random for most of the travellers. But for people having certain surnames it is certain that they will be picked all the time. I'm sorry for you Mr. SRK but don't be surprised if you have to go through this again. All my friends who share your surname usually include extra 2 hours in their travel itinerary and avoid flying when ever they can.
Security & immigration procedures are meant to safeguard and protect a nation's interests and it's high time the so-called VIPs stop cribbing about it. BTW SRK isn't a VIP that every immigration officer in US is supposed to recognize and I don't blame the authorities to have pulled him aside as it's the system that flagged him out (whatever the criteria that's been employed is a moot point). As far as "not feeling like stepping in US again...." I don't think anyone would fooled by it...he'll be visiting soon for his new film releases & shows.