What Shah Rukh Khan said on his return to Mumbai from the US
US SECURITY CHECKS
I am scared of the authorities and rules so I try to follow the rules
of the country I travel to. Whenever I am in America, I have to report
at least two hours in advance while travelling within the country for
security reasons — they ask me to take off my clothes and shoes, and I
do that. But I never experienced this kind of treatment.
There are some routine security measures — they check your
fingerprints and scan your retina. But the routine security process
was not followed. Instead, the authorities asked me bizarre and
irrelevant questions. I am not trying to make a point here, but why
were security measures not followed?
The security of any country is important but caste, religion or race
shouldn't come in the way of security measures. You may call me a mega
star, a celebrity, but basically I'm just a normal guy. But I'm lucky
that I have access to friends in the (Indian) consulate whom I could
call up. But there are hundreds of others who don't have this
facility.
If you want to give a tit-for-tat policy to American actors, then call
me to frisk Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox whenever they are visiting
India.
DETENTION
It was in Newark where I was detained for questioning. It was because
they said my name was common to some name that popped up on the
computer. I told them I am a movie star and had recently visited the
country for the shooting for a film (My Name is Khan).
They kept on asking me silly questions like if I knew someone in the
US who could vouch for me, if I could give them numbers of people they
could get in touch with.
I had all the documents; they were asking me where I was going to be
staying. I gave the name of Fox people, with whom I had finalised a
deal a few days ago, as contacts. I kept on giving numbers. They
wanted to know why I came here… I felt bad, angry… I was harassed for
no reason.
I didn't say a word there because I have a sense of humour which might
lead to something… I don't want special treatment. I was not angry and
I was not disturbed.
PUBLICITY
I do not need any publicity. My film's (My Name is Khan) release is
seven-eight months away. Why should I do a publicity stunt now? When
the time comes, I will create such a hoopla for the film's publicity
that the entire world will sit up and watch. Karan (Johar) is
shivering because he has heard that the Americans and Fox studios to
whom we have sold the film, would like to see the rushes of the film
after all this.
I was asked bizarre questions by the airport officials. It wasn't a
drama. I don't want publicity. But I feel routine procedure was not
followed there. We should not be treated on the basis of our colour or
nationality.
I hate people who rake up religious issues for their personal gains.
I don't want to sound pompous here but I don't need publicity to
promote my movie. I am too big a star for that.
The film's issue is much larger than just being a stop at the
immigration. It's not ironic, maybe we made the film because one
thinks this is an issue that should be addressed.
RETURNING TO US
I will go to the US when work demands but I will limit my travels. I
have no complaints against the system but I wish it could be more
streamlined and less cumbersome.
I am not going to the US in the near future. I will never go there
with my family. I understand their security concerns but they must
stop their paranoia. There should not be any security check on the
basis of religion. I don't bother who says what. But I am a proud
Muslim and a proud Indian too.
APOLOGY
I don't want an apology.… They were doing their duty, and I had no
objection to it. But they must improve the system and make people
comfortable rather than making them feel embarrassed and insulted.
There were 20 other people in the same (detention) room. Was even
their baggage missing? I was clearly told that my name flashed on
their computer and therefore they had to question me.
When you have issued me a visa and imprints of my fingers and my
photograph are on it, I am sure it is there in your system. Why do I
have to go through the ordeal?
RAJIV SHUKLA
I managed to send SMSes to my family and friends from the detention
room — Rajiv Shukla was one among them. He used his influence to reach
the Indian embassy officials who came to vouch for me. But he also
owns a news channel so the news went out to the world. That was not my
intention.
They did not ask me not to use the mobile. It was written there on a
poster so I did not call anyone — just texted Mr Shukla and my other
contacts there, including Sant Chatwal (the hotelier).
AMAR SINGH
Amar Singh is unwell, and I pray that he recovers soon with a healthy
body and strong mind. (In response to Singh's comment that SRK was
making a big deal of the incident while people like Amitabh Bachchan
and many others, including former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who
have faced this have not created a mountain of a molehill).
MULAYAM SINGH
(On Mulayam Singh's accusation that SRK was doing all this for
publicity) "Yaar, yeh sab wahiyat batein hain (These are all idiotic
statements). Let us not turn this into a political issue."
SALMAN KHAN
(Reacting to fellow actor Salman Khan's comments that such routine
security check-up was okay) It is his experience and his point of view
but it was not comfortable for me. I am a respectable man and I found
all this offensive. This was a first for me. Maybe next time onwards,
I will not mind as well.
