Thaindian News

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.

The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.

According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.

“Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.

Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.

“I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.

Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.

Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash 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.

US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”