Detention of Bollywood’s Khan Stokes Anger in India

Indian Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is seen during Indian Bollywood producer Ramesh Taurani's wedding anniversary party at the Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK—It should have been a fairly straightforward entry into the country for one of India’s top actors, Shah Rukh Khan, but as his flight landed at the Newark Liberty International Airport, a small twist of fate resulted in a checkup that stoked anger in India.

The Bollywood star is in the United States to promote his latest film “My Name is Khan” and take part in activities of India’s Independence Day on August 15. Upon arrival, he was detained by U.S. immigration officers at the New Jersey airport for his name was very similar to another name on watch on the immigration list.

The 44-year star has appeared in over 70 films and is a household name in India.

Reaction to the arrest was vitriolic in some parts of India. In Allahabad, protesters burned American flags, while holding up effigies of “King Khan.” There were smaller and less dramatic protests in other parts of the country, such as New Delhi, the capital.

Shortly after the incident, U.S. Customs Service released a statement saying that the Bollywood star had never been officially detained, and had only been sent to another room for a checkup.

Initial media reports mentioned that Khan had been “detained” for two hours, but the statement released by customs officials said that he had only been detained for 66 minutes, and that the checkup had taken longer as his luggage had been delayed.

In an early interview with The Times of India newspaper shortly after the incident, the actor said that he was “angry and humiliated.”

But Khan later recanted his position. On Sunday, he downplayed the incident in an interview with the Associated Press, saying, “I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure.”

The movie that Khan is in the United States to promote is about a Muslim man with the last name Khan, who was arrested shortly after the September 11 incidents.

The movie reunites Khan with producer-director Karan Johar and heroine Kajol. The movie will be distributed by FOXSTAR in India and Fox Searchlight internationally. The team of three—Khan, Kajol and Johar—have together been part of some of Bollywood’s biggest romantic hits, such as “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”