Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan said he felt angry and humiliated after he was detained and questioned at a US airport, sparking an uproar in India among his fans.
- Khan, 43, one of India's best known actors, was en route to Chicago for a parade to mark the Indian Independence Day on Saturday when he was pulled aside at Newark airport on Friday, he said.
- After a couple of hours' interrogation, he was allowed to make a call, he said, and he got in touch with the Indian consulate who vouched for him and secured his release.
- "Absolutely uncalled for, I think. I felt angry and humiliated," said Khan, who had just finished a month-long shoot in the US for his upcoming film My Name is Khan, which is about a Muslim man's experience with racial profiling.
- India reacted with outrage on Sunday, while Indian newspapers railed against the questioning of the Bollywood superstar.
- "My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia" said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."
- Khan later downplayed the incident. "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he told reporters Saturday in Chicago.
- US customs officials said Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes.
- Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country.
- A US consul official in India told a television channel they were inquiring into the matter of Shah Rukh's detenion.
- As news of Khan's detention broke on Indian television channels, which have played up attacks in Australia on Indian students, fans and actors began posting angry comments on the internet.
- The federal information minister, Ambika Soni, angrily suggested that India adopt a similar policy toward Americans travelling to India.
Source: The World
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