Indian superstar detained for two hours at US Newark airport on account of his name Khan, despite reportedly telling the immigration officer that he even knew Hillary Clinton

SUPERSTAR Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned for nearly two hours at the Newark Liberty International Airport at New Jersey in America, during the wee hours of Saturday (IST), despite all his protestations that he was a well-known Bollywood star. The actor revealed that he was detained because of his surname Khan. During the detailed interrogation, where Shah Rukh was taken into a separate room and wasn't allowed his cell phone, it is learnt that the actor tried to convince officers of his legitimacy by referring to various contacts.

According to the organisers of the event in Atlantic City that Khan was attending as chief guest, the actor even said, "I know Hillary Clinton", in exasperation, as he was being questioned incessantly about his purpose of visit to the US. Organisers also added that while other passengers and airport staff continued to pass by him in recognition and even took photos on their cell phones, the immigration officer ignored the evidence that Khan was a Bollywood superstar.

'Shah Rukh was furious'
Randhir Saini, one of the organisers from ULS Entertainment who spoke to Sunday MiD DAY from Atlantic City, said, "Shah Rukh was furious when he reached the hotel. SRK said that he didn't want to be disturbed and didn't come out of his room for sometime. By lunchtime, SRK seemed to have cooled down and enjoyed his chicken tikka masala. However, because of the mix up, our show got delayed for nearly an hour. He was still very gracious throughout his performance." SRK arrived in the US alone and he wasn't accompanied by any of his family members or friends.

Why so much cash
According to another organiser Raj Uppal, the authorities had even questioned Khan about why he was carrying money in his pocket. "Shah Rukh had $1500 (Rs 72,270) on him, which wasn't a lot of money. But he was still asked why he was carrying so much cash. It was frustrating to him that people were passing by, taking pictures and pointing at him, while the immigration official refused to acknowledge this," said Uppal, who had planned this event a fortnight ago.

There were two people waiting to receive Khan at the airport, Cineyug owner Karim Morani (the Morani Brothers arrange several stage shows worldwide) and Uppal's driver Mohammed of the limousine. "My driver said that SRK was calm once he sat down in the car, but his frustration was evident the moment he reached the Trump Taj Mahal at Atlantic City," said Uppal.