Shah Rukh Khan detained at US airport, yet again

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar didn’t gain much by making My Name is Khan: The message was surely lost in translation.

The megastar was detained on Friday in the United States for the third time in six years — this time in Los Angeles. Every time the same process has repeated itself: detention, extra screening, sudden recognition of the mistake and then a round of apologies.

According to reports, Mr. Khan, who was on his way to Yale University, was allowed to go after being made to spend two hours at LA airport. “I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks. The brighter side is, while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons,” the actor tweeted, venting his frustration, with a smilie.

Soon afterwards, US ambassador to India Richard Verma tweeted to Mr Khan, “Sorry for the trouble at Los Angeles. We are working to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Your work inspires millions, including in the US.”

The actor replied graciously, “No trouble sir, respect the protocol and not expecting to be above it. It’s just a tad inconvenient. Thanks for your concern.”

US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal also tweeted, “Sorry for the hassle at the airport — even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!”

To that, the actor replied politely again, “No hassle ma’m. Respect the protocol, not expecting to be above it. Appreciate your graciousness, it’s just inconvenient.”

In 2012, Mr Khan was detained for 90 minutes at an airport near New York, and he later joked about it. In his speech at Yale University he said that he was accustomed to such hassles. “Yes, it always happens. Whenever I start feeling arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America,” he told students. “The immigration guys kick the star out of stardom.” In 2009, Khan was stopped for two hours at the Newark airport. He was released only after India’s embassy intervened. On both occasions US authorities said this was the last time the actor was put through the embarrassment of being detained.

Mr Khan had said a few years ago that he was detained as his surname cropped up on a computer alert list of US Immigration authorities.