Tuesday 23 / April / 2024
Los Angeles: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was again "detained" at a US airport, the third time in seven years that he has been stopped by US immigration officials at the country's airports, with the actor expressing disappointment on social media.
"I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks," (sic) the actor tweeted after being detained at the Los Angeles airport.
"The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons," the 50-year-old actor said in another tweet referring to the widely popular web game.
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the US Department of State Nisha Desai Biswal has apologised for "hassle" Khan faced at the airport.
"Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening," Biswal tweeted.
Her Twitter account says that the tweets there "are my own".This was not the first instance that Khan was detained at an American airport by immigration officials.
In April 2012, Khan was detained at the White Plains airport near New York for over two hours by immigration officials.
Khan was in the US to visit Yale University and was accompanied by Nita Ambani, wife of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani.
He was understood to have been travelling in a private plane.
Following the incident, sources had then told PTI that while Ambani and the rest of their group was cleared immediately, Khan was stopped and was given immigration clearance only after about two hours.
Yale University officials had to contact and speak with officials at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of US Immigration and Customs in Washington when they were informed that Khan was held up at the airport.
After the incident in New York, Khan had said, "Whenever I start feeling too arrogant about myself I always take a trip to America.
The immigration guys kicked the star out of stardom," Khan had said to the Yale students.
In 2009, Khan was detained at the Newark Airport in New Jersey for nearly two hours.
Following the incident, Khan had sought to downplay the "unfortunate procedure" at Newark airport and had said that he would not demand an apology.
US Ambassador to India Richard Verma apologised to Khan and said the US was working to ensure that it does not happen again.
Verma's comment on Twitter was appreciated by Khan who thanked him for his concern.
"Sorry for the trouble at LAX @iamsrk. We are working to ensure it doesn't happen again. Your work inspires millions, including in the US," Verma tweeted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Khan's detention is very "unfortunate and embarrassing".
"I am shocked to hear about the harassment caused to @iamsrk. Security is security but this is very unfortunate and embarrassing," Banerjee tweeted.
Hours after Khan was detained, Twitter went abuzz with jokes on the Bollywood superstar.
Users of the micro-blogging site posted their views using the hashtag #Shah RukhKhan, which soon became a top trend.
"Why always #Shah RukhKhan gets detained at USA airports. The officials this time must have watched his recent movies," a Twitter user wrote.
"Don Ka Intezaar To 11 Mulko Ki Police Kar Rahi Hai... But US is Not Included in those 11 Mulk!," posted another citing the 50-year-old actor's famous dialouge from 2006 movie.
"Don". Many compared it with the "Dilwale" star's intolerance statement which he made last year.
"So,.... How do you rate the.."Intolerance"... There in US, Mr Khan?," wrote a Twitter user.
"#Shah RukhKhan detained at US airport ? Again ? One more time sing that #Intolerance song baby!," tweeted another.
"#Shah RukhKhan Global star but every country has its own rules. No celeb bigger than National Security. SRK should not complain. Be Tolerant," another Twitterati wrote.
