The 'Khan' story continues...
After Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at Newark airport for a security check, many others like Zayed Khan and Irrfan Khan have come out with the ordeals they faced in the US because of their last names.
Zayed Khan: Of course, we Khans go through this kind of humiliation all the time. I've gone through it, Salman has gone through it. I'm glad people are talking about it because of Shah Rukh. There have been times when I've been with 17 people in a team on tour or for a shooting in the US. Out of these only one gets detained at the airport. Guess who invariably gets detained? And some Caucasian bully, who does these checkings by the book and thinks all Khans are terrorists, will tell you it's a random check. Tell me, how can there be random checks on five US airports one after another and in all of them only yours truly gets detained for additional checking? I think there's a big difference between being secure and being ignorant.
Kabir Khan (Director): I was accompanying my wife in the US along with the Morani Brothers. It was a flight from LA to Washington just 15 days after 9/11. So the fear and paranoia were not totally unjustified. We were waiting for the flight to take off talking to each other in Hindi when some passengers complained that we were talking in a 'strange' language. Within no time two burly FBI agents came on board and took me and my co-passengers to the front of the plane. When they got to know my name, they questioned me for more than two hours, googled my name for terrorist links and then finally allowed me to fly.
They asked me if I had been to Pakistan. I told them no. If I had told them that I had been to Afghanistan, they'd have freaked out. Two other passengers on board refused to fly with us. So they were asked to deboard. So you see post 9/11 persecution comes with its inbuilt safety measures. But I honestly think a part of the global fear is justified. We can't blame people for being paranoid after what has happened.
Irrfan Khan: More than the physical torture, it's the wounds of humiliation that never heal after you undergo such a horrific experience. It happened to me on two occasions. I was detained in New York and Los Angeles airport for secondary interrogation. I was outraged. I was told to quietly come into a room for questioning and identification verification. I wasn't allowed to talk. When I tried to ask why I was being treated this way, I was told to keep quiet. I wasn't allowed to use my phone. They said, 'No, you just sit down.' All because my name was Irrfan Khan. You can't argue or rationalise.
On a second occasion this time in New York, when I was detained I blew my top. I told this big Black American guy, 'Please clear the confusion about my identity once and for all. Or don't provide me with a visa. I don't want to come back to the US.' The guy wanted to know if it was a threat. I was taken aback. Mira Nair had to intervene. She advised me to never counter-question them. This is the free spirit of America. This 90-minute detention changed me completely. Can you imagine what a 90-day detention can do to an innocent man thrown into jail?
Eijaaz Khan (TV actor): I've gone through similar experiences a couple of times in the US. While all my friends breezed through immigration I was questioned and had to give the address I was staying at, and for how long. My whereabouts were even checked by them later. This was after 9/11. I guess this kind of treatment is to be expected by us Khans. We've to take it in our stride.
Shabina Khan (Dress Designer): I really don't know what happened with Shah Rukh in the US. But I definitely get into issues at the airport thanks to my surname. It's annoying. It's scary.
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/bollywood/article.aspx?cp-documentid=311...
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Now, the question is why do they still go to US if its that scary? Its not like they gotta go to US to make a living or be successful in their careers. I mean, you wanna go to US, be prepared for whtever airport 'procedures' are there. Package deal.
Another question is, how is detaining a 'Khan' gonna work? I mean, if I was a terrorist, (after seeing this report) I would definitely get a passport with any other surname than Khan. Its not that difficult, y'know.
Guess security is indeed a tough game.
It's not a Indo-US bilateral issue...lol.. He is just an actor who wanted some fame for his ready to release movie. A publicity stunt at best.
Stone Cold - Your comparison is a bit exaggerated.It's more like a lion and a cat.lol
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
Time to stand up. Tit for Tat is the answer.
For India to follow, its like a lizard following a crocodile jumping into a turbulent river.
Its up to the USA on what type of security they want in place. India should do the same and stop complaining.
Good News for Britain, It will mean that there will be more Bollywood film shooting in the UK. UK already gives tax relief to Bollywood for filming in the UK.
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HE WHO DARES WINS
Part of publicity stunt for "My name is Khan".
Nothing more.
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Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedChicken - Vol II (September,2008)
Asians, Africans, Arabs etc. dying to go to US. May be these kinds of issues will change the mentality of the people at large.
yea maybe his long lost brother like bollywood movies....loool
just the passport and the name...I'am sure they also use face recognition technologies. And yes,if the initial screenings find an element of sucpicion, finger prints and DNA tests are conducted. :) Questioning is just the initial procedure. God knows if the person they questioned is the same SRK or it was a clone...hehehe
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
Are they that stupid to think that Friedunicorn will again travel with the same passport? ok finger print check or even a DNA test make more sense than questioning for 2 hrs...lol
If a guy named FriedUnicorn was involved in bombings, I don't think why anyone who calls himself FriedUnicorn not be questioned or detained. For America, it's a matter of National Security. I don't have any relatives in US and neither do I plan to even visit one day but I can understand their panic and a sense of urgency in ensuring that those horrible incidents are not repeated.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
PM I was refering to shooting.
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HE WHO DARES WINS
FU... I personally dont like him or his acting..I am a big fan of another Khan though..lol ...and I dont think Actors should be given any special previlages like VVIP officals..
But quenstioning someone just because of his name in the passport...dont make any sense..
Brit...yes it will cost a lot... but purposley holding them at the Airport and questioning wont cost much...
You mean filmed or shown?
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
jolena: I guess, race card will always be played by people. Justifiable in some instances, not so in others. I would say we are all a little racist deep within. Things get aggravated if one has a 'chip-on-the-shoulder' symptom.
I know that it happens to regular americans too ( had posted about the Dylan incident on another post in the same forum).
I dont think any terrorist is gonna use the name 'Khan' in future, if he wants to get into the US ;)
There is nothing stopping India from implementing similar policies. Brazil, started fingerprinting U.S. citizens entering Brazil as retaliation for US fingerprinting Brazilian airlines passengers.
All this costs money and requires logistics and manpower. Can India afford to do this ? Is it worth it ?
Things are changing slowly and the day is not far when your thought will be realized. Inshallah...:)
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
FU...Ex president was also treated the same way as a normal citizen...by Continetal Airlines...
Those days are gone ..now cant you see many Americans in India....:) and Indian are earning more than what they make in US...
your "tit for tat" approach :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
...is that their are protocols to be followed in case of state dignitaries. This guy is just an 'actor'.
Yes,we should check everyone,even Americans,if our governments and security agencies permit.I doubt they will. They are too busy living up to the American Dream. Even if America doesn't give a damn about them. That's a real problem.
Afterall we are the ones wanting to go into their country.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
Sorry PM.. I believe in treating people the way they treat me...:)
FS: Security checks are fine, but the motive need not be retaliation. Just to have a very strong security protocol built in to our entry point procedures that would protect our citizens. thats all.
Hi Winn, not mad at you for posting this, just another view point to add to the mix.
So many different posters want to say poor India Bollywood actor, but it happens to regular Americans too and American celebrities, as you probably already know. It's some of the readers who like to spin the racism angle by their comments and it seems like a lot of the posters are trying to play the race card on these posts, whether it's by nationality or name.
Somehow it sounds like you are just being a bit immature though by suggesting "retaliation". :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
I don’t blame them for behaving the way they did. But that does not mean that we should take it lying down. We should retaliate, as suggested by Ambika Soni. We should also frisk every American as we know that they are working for Pakistan and one can’t say what they will do here. Official visit or no official visit, I may not recognize Bush or Obama in person Leave aside Hillary Clinton or any other American....how will a poor security guard at the airport.
..above was to support your viewpoint on the issue.:)
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
IN FEATURE , NAME SHOULD BE "GEORGE OR JOHN" FOR FREE TRAVEL
I am not questioning their motive behind doing it, FU. I was just wondering whether how much it would work that way. (not that I have any alternative to suggest) Again, I do agree with you its nothing to be angry at or to make an issue for.
To be frank, I feel its a publicity stunt for his upcoming movie. I am sure Shah Rukh has gone to US before and must have gone thru similiar process. So why come up with this now?
jolena: I posted this coz it covered some points that we had not discussed in the previous topics on the same issue.
Let him talk in CNN-IBN, wat r V suppose to do ?
Shah Rukh Khan talks on CNN-IBN about his detention at US airport
&feature=related
Aana free, jaana free,
Pakde gaye tho khana free.
Winn... yes i know and therefore i feel its all one big publicity stunt.
"Ali Baba and 40 thieves" are now "Ali Baba and 30 thieves" ; 10 were laid off.
Someone and FU exactly my thoughts...
...if the buildings got knocked down in my country I would really do what US is doing... Terrorists can get a different passport but then it doesn't mean that checking the ones with certain names would be a bad idea. Yes,they have to start somewhere and I think that's an acceptable way of going about it. Terrorists don't come with stamps on their heads. If one country is keen on protecting it's citizens,I think it has the right to select the means to do it.
If certain people are doing what they are,they better be aware of the repercussions their actions would cause on others. I feel sorry for the people who get irritated by questioning etc. They need to realize that these are the new realities of the new world order and no one can bypass it.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
someone: He is, in fact, gettin himself a life. By making a movie with the name "My name is Khan" and 'coincidentally' getting into a 'Khan' controversy at the same time. :-p
I'm tired of seeing all of the posts about how Americans are treating visitors at the airports... What about Americans living in America...they are getting picked on to, that's why they don't care about Bollywood actors being questioned for 66 minutes, nor do they probably even know who they are...
Check out this website:
http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0806c.asp
Excerpt:
TSA agents can slap fines on Americans based on “attitude,” which TSA classifies as one of the “aggravating factors” in determining financial punishments. TSA has issued no guidance on the precise amount of obligatory groveling at airport checkpoints. People who question TSA commands are probably far more likely to be fined.
As others have pointed out in the previous posts, we've even detained our own celebrities - Bob Dylan...happened same time in same state. If we even do this to our own celebrities, what makes any other visiting nationality think they're exempt?
America is not as "free" as everyone thinks it is.
FU ... Tell me abt it! Really the dude needs to get a life!
"Ali Baba and 40 thieves" are now "Ali Baba and 30 thieves" ; 10 were laid off.
FU: I do agree with you on the 'VIP mentality' part.
But the point here is, from a solely security point of view, how much would it help questioning somebody just on the basis of their name? Agreed they gotta start somewhere, but, is it gonna be effective? you could always get a passport with a 'safe' name if you are a terrorist.
...I hope they detain him forever though...Enough of his overacting...lol
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
down people. My 8 year old son with an American cowboy name also with an American passport has been detained 3 of the last 5 times we have entered the US--an hour each time. If you are on the list, you are on the list.
I totally loved the fact that Ruk Ruk Khan got detained. I hope they do it every time he goes to any country other than India:)
"Ali Baba and 40 thieves" are now "Ali Baba and 30 thieves" ; 10 were laid off.
Its time to change your surname if you are desperate to go to the US. Don't use names that are linked to terrorist personalities names.
share another story with you to shed some light on how it works.
My ex-husband had a short version of his name on his Kuwaiti passport. He was simply listed as "Mohammad Ali". There are a number of men with that name (Mohammad Ali) from Arab countries on a "watch list", so after 9/11 when he applied for a visa it took at least 6 months. We had to change our plans for him to go and meet my parents because he couldn't get a visa in time (and we were married!). Then when we would enter the US, he was pulled aside for questioning. This took about 2 hours, because he had to wait with others being interviewed, too. Even when I expressed my irritation he always told me to calm down, because they were just doing their jobs, were always professional and polite, and he welcomed any opportunity to cooperate in making travel safer.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
...need to curb their egos and accept certain realities in life.
It's high time that someone puts them in their place. Media and public idolation of these artists has made them think that they are above law.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)