“Angry and Humiliated” Shahrukh Khan says Newark Airport Incident was “absolutely uncalled for”

MUMBAI - Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Saturday said that he was “angry and humiliated” for being detained at the Newark International Airport in New Jersey, and asserted that the incident was “absolutely uncalled for”.

“It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month, just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay, checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Shahrukh Khan said in a statement.

Khan further said the US authorities checked all his baggage, including the hand baggage, and did not allow him to make a phone call for nearly an hour.

“Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally, they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through,” Khan said.

Khan said that he told the authorities of him being a movie star and the reason for visiting the country. But, nothing seemed to convince the immigration officer, who did not listen to him at all.

“I was really hassled at the American Airport because of my name being Khan. The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America, while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan,” Khan added.

Khan, who was in US to attend the Independence Day function, was subjected to two-hour-long ordeal at the airport. He was released after Congress MP Rajiv Shukla spoke to the authorities in the US and the Indian consulate. (ANI)