Shah Rukh detained in NY again

[Sanyogita]

James:  I said especially Muslims, not exclusively so. There are endless reports of muslims being accorded "special treatment" at the border as well as in the air.  Even muslim US citizens are not spared.  Here's one account of that happened recently with an US citizen of Pakistani descent:

   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367194/Southwest-Airlines-apologises-Muslim-woman-Irum-Abassi-thrown-flight-suspicious-behaviour.html

She is suing Southwest.

PS.  The egyptian lady on my plane was also wearing a head scarf.

This is disgraceful, inexcusable behaviour. But this is not comparable to what happened to Shahrukh Khan at all. He was detained because his name was flagged. And if he was ill-treated or insulted in the slightest, you can bet we wouldn't hear the end of it. He's just blowing up a non-issue and embarassing himself.

[James]

Encore, I don't mean to respond specifically to you, as such, when it comes to my disbelief that Islamophobia is the issue. You hear that allegation generally every time a Muslim person faces any type of investigation and it becomes publicly known.

None of these women, to my knowledge, are Muslim (allegations not yet proven in court):  U.S. border guards groped us, three Canadian women allege in lawsuit. There's constant complaints about the U.S. border guard from Canadians of all backgrounds and I don't think that indicates anything other than a combination of incompetence, heavy-handedness, and an intended intimidating approach. That incompetence and heavy-handedness likely affects Muslims negatively, but it affects everyone and I don't think it's motivated by hate of a particular religion. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

This is disgraceful, inexcusable behaviour.

I'd maintain a healthy dose of skepticism until it's proven in a court of law as the media make money off of sensationalizing such things. Agreed, though, that they're two very different cases for the reason you mentioned.

[Dancelover]

Maybe SRK was praising and thanking them for this lesson in humility.

Dancelover, who is reasoning from his own ideas

[snip]

'They know how to kick the star out of stardom'. SRK on the security personnel who detained him.
[snip]

[truebollyfan]

Why did SRK make it a America vs Muslims affair.. it can happen to anyone.. as a superstar with such a huge fan following across countries he needs to be more responsible..

[filmcrazy]

People are saying he is doing this for publicity. I have a different take on this issue. The conventional view is that he is a big star with a sense of entitlement. However, this has happened twice and he has traveled to the U.S frequently. Even KANK was shot in the U.S. So, if this happened repeatedly over the course of last 6 years, he may have a point in asking if the U.S immigrantion system needs some serious fixing.

SRK does have a point 'cause he felt humiliated at being treated like he did something wrong. Treating people with basic human dignity is something that the officials should learn. People are innocent until proven guilty and they deserve respect. If anyone can make this a national/international issue, it is SRK. Maybe he is using his influence to create a ruckus about how things are done in the U.S. If a star is treated in such a shabby manner, how much worse would it be for an ordinary person to deal with all this?

And by the way, just because something is done in a certain manner doesn't mean it is being done correctly. Just because "everyone" is subject to this doesn't make it fair or right, does it?

[starrysky]

I don't particularly like the comment 'They know how to kick the star out of stardom' but I guess one should take into account the Indian mentality that respects hierarchy and rank a lot, with all those "I-am-not-going-to-tolerate-questions" attitudes.
But even so. Let's say Elton John is detained and interrogated for 2 h at a Moscow airport (or some other such famous figure). Wouldn't that cause some row?...

[Sanyogita]

So, if this happened repeatedly over the course of last 6 years, he may have a point in asking if the U.S immigrantion system needs some serious fixing.

 Perhaphs the problem is SRK and the fact that he has a business partner who is a criminal who was invovled in one of the biggest scams of modern India, or some other reason along the same lines. I'm not saying that SRK indulges in criminal activities himself, but its easy to see why this may be cause for concern for the security personnel. You cannot conduct business with a notorious embezzeler and then throw a fit if you're detained for questioning at an airport.

SRK does have a point 'cause he felt humiliated at being treated like he did something wrong. Treating people with basic human dignity is something that the officials should learn. People are innocent until proven guilty and they deserve respect. If anyone can make this a national/international issue, it is SRK. Maybe he is using his influence to create a ruckus about how things are done in the U.S. If a star is treated in such a shabby manner, how much worse would it be for an ordinary person to deal with all this?

But here's the thing: this is the American border control. It's a security issue and it is incredibly, staggeringly arrogant of him to expect preferential treatment because he is a Bollywood actor. Bollywood's links with the Mumbai underworld are pretty common knowledge, and some of the biggest BW stars like Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt have criminal records. Again, I'm not saying that SRK is a criminal in anyway, but simply being a Bollywood star does not put him on some elevated moral plane where he is automatically freed of all suspicion and should never be detained.
 And how have they offended his dignity in any way? All they've done is detained him for questioning. Have they acted or spoken roughly with him? The only thing that can get offended, if at all, is his ego.

[filmcrazy]

 Perhaphs the problem is SRK and the fact that he has a business partner who is a criminal who was invovled in one of the biggest scams of modern India, or some other reason along the same lines. I'm not saying that SRK indulges in criminal activities himself, but its easy to see why this may be cause for concern for the security personnel. You cannot conduct business with a notorious embezzeler and then throw a fit if you're detained for questioning at an airport.

Can you elaborate on this, please? I have no idea about this issue.

[Sanyogita]

Can you elaborate on this, please? I have no idea about this issue.

SRK and Karim Morani

[Sanyogita]

.

[SRKluvver]

Can I just say something here if I'm allowed!!!

ShahRukh took the whole thing brilliantly, only mentioning it by joking about it at Yale, he never made a big issue out of the incident, the issue is being made by the media and the minister/politicians who are overreacting!

So I feel that its really harsh to say such things about ShahRukh like his big ego is making him embarrass himself and act childish by making a big fuss about the incident when he really is not!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEc1Q0tIDdQ

But seriously? after the big fuss when it happened in 2009, he travels to the US a lot and given the fact that he is so well known around the world I can't believe it happened again!

Also, why is it that out of ShahRukh's inspirational yet entertaining lecture while he was honoured at Yale, the main thing covered by media was the questioning incident?

[purplecowmoo]

Ah, thanks so much for that link - he seems back on top form, usual charming self. How cool he went to Yale! I can't get over that.

[SRKluvver]

Ah, thanks so much for that link - he seems back on top form, usual charming self. How cool he went to Yale! I can't get over that.

I know right?!!!

Here's the full lecture if you wanted to see it!

Shah Rukh Khan now a Chubb Fellow at Yale
full lecture:

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/shah-rukh-khan-now-a-chubb-fellow-at-yale/229144

Can I just say I'm really proud of ShahRukh! his entire lecturing was amazing: inspirational yet entertaining and so heartfelt at the same time!

[starrysky]

Ahh, so the 'kicking the star out of stardom' comment was in joke. I should've known)) It's actually obvious even without the video, silly me.
Thanks for that link, SRKluvver!

[jjake61]

Can I just say something here if I'm allowed!!!

ShahRukh took the whole thing brilliantly, only mentioning it by joking about it at Yale, he never made a big issue out of the incident, the issue is being made by the media and the minister/politicians who are overreacting!

So I feel that its really harsh to say such things about ShahRukh like his big ego is making him embarrass himself and act childish by making a big fuss about the incident when he really is not!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEc1Q0tIDdQ

But seriously? after the big fuss when it happened in 2009, he travels to the US a lot and given the fact that he is so well known around the world I can't believe it happened again!

Also, why is it that out of ShahRukh's inspirational yet entertaining lecture while he was honoured at Yale, the main thing covered by media was the questioning incident?

Yes exactly he made one joke out of it...and made no issue at all of him being treated differently because he is Moslem.  I think people may be conflating the last time with this time.  The last time was similar but he said alot more in the press Because he was asked.  If I recall the last time his main issue (and even this time, the statement from Red Chillies said they were expecting it before he left) was given his frequent trips here, and that he fills out all paper work and gets the ok to come, is that it was innefficient and given how supposedly advanced the US is we could maybe  be more competant in handling it. (competant is my word not his)

I don't see him complaining publically about this (although I imagine he does privately) ..just a self deprecating joke at the begining of his speech.



I have a TSA story to account and I am curious to see if anyone has had a similar experience.  The last time I flew domestically with my daughter (Who is a grown up looking 16 year old) she got pulled for the random pat down.  I was already through security and waiting for her.  They asked her how old she was and when they found her to be a minor they called me back through security and had me get patted down and sent through the air blower thing in her place.  I found it funny and illogical.

[victoria]

Of course KJo has something to say about it

Karan Johar ‏ @kjohar25

Detaining SRK is not an error...it reflects the disdain and disregard towards the rest of the world by the US authorities!!

[Aishwarya4eva]

^ Oh really?! Please shut up! He needs to button his trap before someone truly thinks he has a problem with America.

Earth to Karan Johar, you're not American. So don't act like you know all about Islamophobia in America because you don't. My Name Is Khan made that clear when you made every single one of us look like bigots with no souls. I understand that that was just a movie but the execution of his perspective was completely in bad taste. So he's the LAST one who should be chiming in on the subject.

Sorry, but god that man irritates me so much. Just chup.

[leaf]

Ah, thanks so much for that link - he seems back on top form, usual charming self. How cool he went to Yale! I can't get over that.

So it's just not me who noticed that. Watching the Yale speech, my first thought was, "Man, he's charming me again." Maybe the TSA really did kick the star out of stardom because he seemed so much less jaded than he has in the past two years.

[encore]

I have a TSA story to account and I am curious to see if anyone has had a similar experience.  The last time I flew domestically with my daughter (Who is a grown up looking 16 year old) she got pulled for the random pat down.  I was already through security and waiting for her.  They asked her how old she was and when they found her to be a minor they called me back through security and had me get patted down and sent through the air blower thing in her place.  I found it funny and illogical.

That is completely illogical.  I follow a frequent flyers blog that has a funny story of some power tripping TSA agents chasing this guy through the airport:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1334875-jfk-incompetence-flight-departs-12-25am-sat-wont-let-me-through-fri.html

[Spencer]

Of course KJo has something to say about it

Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Indian govt should gift iPads to USA so their immigrations can use Google and check who they are detaining. SRK? 2nd time? Outrageous.


I have no words to respond to such a comment.

[shhrkh]

  Perhaphs the problem is SRK and the fact that he has a business partner who is a criminal who was invovled in one of the biggest scams of modern India, or some other reason along the same lines. I'm not saying that SRK indulges in criminal activities himself, but its easy to see why this may be cause for concern for the security personnel. You cannot conduct business with a notorious embezzeler and then throw a fit if you're detained for questioning at an airport.

You seriously think this is why he is getting detained or are you saying this justifies him being detained? Is it a known fact that this is why he was detained?

I know right?!!!

Here's the full lecture if you wanted to see it!
http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/shah-rukh-khan-now-a-chubb-fellow-at-yale/229144

Can I just say I'm really proud of ShahRukh! his entire lecturing was amazing: inspirational yet entertaining and so heartfelt at the same time!

Awesome to see him there. Thanks for sharing.

[victoria]

Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Indian govt should gift iPads to USA so their immigrations can use Google and check who they are detaining. SRK? 2nd time? Outrageous.


I have no words to respond to such a comment.

I don't know why everyone seems to think that all Americans should know who he is. They don't! If you're not of South Asian origin and if you haven't been exposed to Bollywood, you'd have no clue who he was!

[Poonam]

More on this silly brouhaha 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IM-bosss-SRK-love-may-be-behind-stars-US-ordeal/articleshow/12668865.cms

Looks like the Morani connection is old hat.

[senorita]

We don't have all the facts. It was silly of Indian officials to jump the gun. At least the embassy in DC was much more measured in its response.

Shahrukh's  question hinges on "J visa"
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120414/jsp/nation/story_15373449.jsp#.T4uPbJV5mSM

Much ado about 75 mins delay
Incredulity in Washington at Delhi summons to envoy over SRK's airport flap
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120415/jsp/nation/story_15375772.jsp#.T4uQp5V5mSM

[Darshana]

My impression without having read everything - several things at play not just one

1 - unless SRK is actually some kind of criminal - this shows up the idiotic incompetency of US "security" measures.  He is famous, he is in and out of here all the time, the TSA has embarrassed itself before by detaining him, and the system is so f-ed up that this is how our government employees spend their time.

2 - this them met with the entitlement and also readiness to define a thing as insulting to Indians of an element or Indian society, which doesn't particularly include SRK.

It shouldn't happen, and its having happened also has more or less no meaning, that's my view.

I wonder if his having been detained before is registered in their idiotic system as a flag that makes him likelier to be detained in future.  I know someone who was found to have a small amount of cocaine on her when she flew into the US from a holiday in the Caribbean (not bright of her) -- really a personal/party kind of amount -- and after than customs people have for example raided her cabin on a cruise ship.  (Also a waste of our $, she was clearly a college girl who did a dumb thing, not a major threat to the safety of the American people.)