Shah Rukh Khan detained at New York airport for two hours on Thursday

Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at New York airport for two hours after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani,  to visit Yale University, on Thursday April 12, 2012. It is not clear why Khan was detained at the airport. Indian External affairs minister SM Krishna has asked the Indian ambassador to US, Nirupama Rao, to take up the matter with the authorities.

According to sources Shah Rukh Khan was allowed to go only after his hosts intervened and took up the issue with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Due to Khan’s detention at the airport, the Yale event in New Haven started an hour late.

Shah Rukh Khan was also stopped at the Newark Airport In August 2009 and was released after two hours at the intervention of the Indian consulate in New York.

Shah Rukh Khan joked about the incident during his speech. He Said ” It was a long flight, we were detained at the airport for an hour and a half, as always happens. Whenever I feel arrogant, I always visit America.

USA head of Mr Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment Shailja Gupta, said that “The airport officials recognized him but continued with the questioning. He was expecting to be stopped this time as well and that he answered all questions with grace and patience.