SRK detained at US airport again

Actor Shah Rukh Khan was on Thursday “detained” at an US airport, the third time in seven years, by the immigration officials.

“I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks (sic),” Khan tweeted after he was detained at the Los Angeles airport.

“The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons,” the 50-year-old actor said in another tweet, referring to the widely popular mobile game.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal has apologised for the “hassle” Khan had to face at the airport.

“Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening,” Biswal tweeted. Her Twitter account says that the tweets there “are my own”.

US envoy to India Richard Verma on Friday apologised to  Shahrukh Khan. “Sorry for the trouble at LAX @iamsrk. We are working to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Your work inspires millions, including in the US,” Verma posted on Twitter.

In April 2012, Khan was detained at the White Plains airport near New York for over two hours by immigration officials. Khan was in the US to visit Yale University and was accompanied by Nita Ambani, wife of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. While Ambani and the rest of their group was cleared, Khan was given immigration clearance only after about two hours. Yale University officials had to speak with officials at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of US Immigration and Customs in Washington.

After the incident in New York, Khan had said: “Whenever I start feeling too arrogant about myself I always take a trip to America. The immigration guys kicked the star out of stardom.”

UK denies visa to  Amjad Ali Khan

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s visa application was rejected by the UK High Commission on Friday.  The 70-year-old artiste, who was to perform at the Royal Festival Hall next month, said he is “shocked and appalled” at the rejection of his application.