US immigration detains Bollywood star

August 17 2009 by Rebekah Nahai

Shah Rukh Kahn detained by US immigration

A Bollywood celebrity who has appeared in more than 70 films was detained by US immigration officials in a New Jersey airport.

Shah Rukh Kahn, 44, was passing through Newark airport to attend an Indian Independence Day celebration in Chicago when he was taken aside for a two hours of questioning.

The actor says he felt angry and humiliated and that he was detained because his name, which came up in a computer checklist, is Muslim.

US immigration officials say the questioning was part of a routine process for monitoring foreign visitors. They deny detaining Mr Kahn, saying he was questioned for 66 minutes.

Timothy Roehmer, US ambassador to India, says the US embassy is trying to "ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place".

In Delhi, Mr Roehmer said in a statement: "Shah Rukh Khan, the actor and global icon, is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films."

Mr Kahn was released after he contacted an Indian politician, who contacted the Indian embassy in Washington about the situation.

The actor is currently promoting a film about racial profiling.

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