<p>Is he really famous?</p>
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<p>[The</a> Buzz Log - The Shah Rukh Khan incident - Yahoo! Buzz](<a href=“http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92914?fp=1]The”>http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92914?fp=1)</p>
<p>“Is he really famous?”</p>
<p>Mega Super Star of Bollywood.</p>
<p>He is clearly famous in India. I think that Tom Hanks is more famous internationally. I think more Indians know of him than Americans know Shah Rukh Khan. The name means nothing to me. My 84 year old mother who lives in Asia know the name Tom Hanks and a number of his movies. She has no idea who Shah Rukh Khan is.</p>
<p>I think more Indians know of him than Americans know Shah Rukh Khan</p>
<p>Heck that isn’t saying much- there are USA citizens who couldn’t locate India on a map</p>
<p>“The name means nothing to me.”</p>
<p>May be not. However, if you asked that question to many teenage white american girls you would get different answer. May be in TX more American girls watch Bollywood movies than me.</p>
<p>Man, I always hate it when I read stories like this. </p>
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<p>Unfortunately, I think this is true. It saddens me when people are treated as members of a monolith, instead of the unique individuals they are. </p>
<p>Oh, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bollywood movies! They’re visual extravaganzas—the colorful costumes, the music, the dancing—like the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, only fresh and with an international appeal. Wouldn’t it be cool if Khan were to become as big here as he is in South Asia?</p>
<p>^ Oh really? Personally I think they are boring.</p>
<p>It doesnt matter if you are a celebrity
The airlines and Homeland security couldn’t figure out why he was even allowed on the plane
[Cat</a> Stevens ‘In the Dark’ Over No-Fly List - ABC News](<a href=“Cat Stevens 'In the Dark' Over No-Fly List - ABC News”>Cat Stevens 'In the Dark' Over No-Fly List - ABC News)</p>
<p>I lost ALL respect for Cat Stevens when he publicly supported the fatwa against Salman Rushdie. “The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens” is beneath contempt, IMHO. He tried to back away from it after the fact, but this is what he said:</p>
<p>“On February 21, 1989, Yusuf Islam addressed students at Kingston University in London about his conversion to Islam and was asked about the controversy in the Muslim world and the fatwa calling for Salman Rushdie’s execution. He replied, ‘He must be killed. The Qur’an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die.’”</p>
<p>Oh, he was upset because he wasn’t able to easily enter the US? How about having an international contract out on you, and having to spend years in hiding, like Rushdie? And Stevens supported that? It’s fine with me if he never sets foot in the US again. He’s scum.</p>
<p>Just because you’re famous doesn’t mean you can’t commit a crime.</p>
<p>I would like to know further details about the case before I really make a strong opinion. The police said they questioned him for 66 minutes, but I don’t know if that was really necessary.</p>
<p>First of all, if Kahn was any true superstar, he would be flying out of Teterboro airport on his own private jet or chartered jet. </p>
<p>Second, if his name is similar to names on the Homeland Security terrorist list, I darn well expect them to question him and make sure he is not a terrorist. If Kahn does not like it, don’t come to American.</p>
<p>Third, ditto on Cat Stevens.</p>
<p>If his name had been Kahn, he probably would not have been detained.
And now that he has had the experience, he may decide to stay away from American (sic).</p>
<p>Every time I visited the U.S. using my old chipless passport that had been made at an overseas embassy (that’s what they used to do) I was searched, put into the bomb “shooting air on you” machine. Every time. Now that I have my new passport issued in Washington D.C. I go straight through. They have certain procedures and follow them regardless of who you are and what you look like.</p>
<p>Shah Rukh Khan has an Indian passport. I cannot believe that every single foreign visitor is detained for one hour or more!</p>
<p>Still, if his name was on a suspect list, it was right for him to be detained and questioned until his bona fide was cleared up. The problem lies not with the airport staff but with the suspect list (which until it was amended, included Sen. Ted Kennedy’s name on it).</p>
<p>People, read the article again.
</p>
<p>And that article links to this one, [SRK</a> was cleared in 66 minutes, say US officials - US - World - NEWS - The Times of India](<a href=“http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/SRK-was-cleared-in-66-minutes-say-US-officials/articleshow/4899560.cms]SRK”>SRK was cleared in 66 minutes, say US officials - Times of India), which says
</p>
<p>66 minutes isn’t that long to get through Customs and Immigration (I know, I work there), particularly in Newark. We don’t know why he was sent to secondary but it’s wrong to assume that it’s because of his name or his ethnicity. It could have been because of something he wrote on his Customs declaration. It’s certainly not the fault of CBP that he had to wait for his luggage to arrive before the inspection could be done.</p>
<p>Sheesh, everyone loves to jump to conclusions!</p>
<p>I’ve been detained in several foreign countries longer than that even before 9/11 but then I’m not famous.</p>
<p>I’d never heard of him either but then I wouldn’t recognize the names of many of the USA’s so-called ‘stars’ either.</p>
<p>My 80 yo MIL claims that she was strip searched at Newark. I was not there, and she is a bit daffy, but her H, who was there agrees that this happened. If you could see her, a little old lady with white hair, short, weighs little, you could not imagine why. This was a few years ago, but well after 9/11. Around the same time, a coworkers 70 yo grandmother also allegedly had to take off clothes because her pants caused a problem. I suppose this could have been MIL’s issue too. This actor might like to make out that he was profiled due to his Asian appearance, but many people are searched, who are not from Asia.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong happened. 66 minutes is a lot, but that’s because his luggage took a long time to come. It sucks, but it’s not an issue of racism. America is already decent friendly toward foreigners. I’m an ethnic minority, and I’ve never taken more than 5-10 minutes to get through security. When I went to foreign countries, I’ve been detained up to 3+ hours on domestic flights. </p>
<p>It sounds just like more whining from minorities who want to paint the “white man” as the enemies, and talk about how they’re constantly being “oppressed”. To me, this is just another example of our security guys and gals doing their job right.</p>
<p>As an Indian in the US I am disgusted by the unnecessary media circus over SRK’s desire to be treated as royalty by the US immigration officers. </p>
<p>And what exactly is Mr. Khan throwing a tantrum over? Because he was ‘questioned’ by the US immigration officers like other passengers are - as I and my parents have been in the past! We have found the US immigration officers to be even handed, courteous, just and very professional.</p>
<p>Well SRK, Welcome to the United States of America. Here the laws are meant to be implemented. Unlike in India where SRK’s fellow Bollywood actor walks away scott free after recklessly mowing down 10 homeless people, while another of his Bollywood buddies stores automatic fire-arms for underworld dons linked to Pakistan’s terror network, and yet continues to work in the film industry after receiving a slap on the wrist.</p>
<p>Tell you what, if those incidents had happened here in the US, both of those ‘larger than life’ stars would be servicing Bubbas while doing life terms in a Federal prison - Bollywood shenanigans notwithsanding!</p>
<p>Did they strip search you, SRK? NO! Did they beat you? NO. Did they waterboard you? NO! Did they send you on an all expense paid, one way holiday trip to Mount. Guantanamo Bay, in a brand spanking new flourescent orange jump suit? NO! Did they call you names, Did they ridicule you for your nationality, color, or talk ill about your looks or religion or mock at you for claiming to be a big star? NO! So why exactly is the sky falling down Mr. Khan? Why do you want 1 billion Indian undies in a wad for, SRK? Because US immigration didnt recognize your celebrity! And because the officers had the temerity to put you in the line for secondary questioning! That too along with other common passengers …and because you were asked to await your turn, instead of jump the line! The realization that for a change you were treated as a commoner must have been so sobering.</p>
<p>And how long did it take for you to get your turn and finish the procedure? 66 long minutes. And how old are you? 43. Well I have more news for you. My parents aged 63 & 70 yrs went through the exact same procedure, only that it took them over 2 hours, because they misplaced their previous entry documents in the check in baggage, and not the carry on baggage. They felt that the officers were courteous and professional, and were merely doing their job. And are we not used to waiting hand and foot before all and sundry in India SRK, from the municipality peon to corporator to the railway ticket counter? Well at least we common folks are.</p>
<p>Another piece of news for you, Mr. Khan, If you missed this one. The United States was attacked by terrorists on 9/11/2001, and 3000 lives were lost, many of who chose to jump from 2 skyscrapers crashing their heads on the concrete below. Even as we speak there are thousands of young American women and men in the battlefield facing bullets as they chase down and exterminate the maggots of Taliban and Al-Qaeda…so that those sub-human vermins dont dare enter the US ever again. You may agree with me, that what those girls and boys are facing in the deserts and mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan, demands a wee bit more courage than was required of you as you spent 66 minutes of your life in the airconditioned comfort of the US immigration office at Newark airport. I hope you would kindly agree with me, please.</p>
<p>Next piece of news for you, and this may be the most difficult one for you to take. In my experience, no one in the US, outside of the usual Bollywood fan (south asian) base, recognizes you. Not one person! Sorry to rain on your parade buddy, but even if they were to recognized you, the US airport security would still treat you as regular Joe. Why? Because thats how they run things here in the US.</p>
<p>Dont like it? Dont come here!</p>
<p>I am sure the US government did not invite you, and you came of your own volition, in your personal (and not diplomatic) capacity, to dance before a by-ticket only audience for money.</p>
<p>Now Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, you can’t have it both ways. You want to come to the US to earn big bucks, and yet dont want to go through US immigration checks. You got to decide one way or the other.</p>
<p>Do you know that a Congressman here in the US was strip searched in an airport, because the X-ray machine kept beeping? I am sure you wont believe it, accustomed as we are to different standards for the ‘privileged’ gentry in India. Well he was. And just in case you are wondering if he was a minority, let me assure you the congressman is WHITE, MALE, and CHRISTIAN. In other words, no one can use the Race, gender or religion card to explain that incident. The congressman had had a hip replacement, and explained to the airport security folks that the metal in the prosthetic hip must be causing the beeps to go off. And can you guess SRK, what was the ‘lowly’ airport officials response to the congressman, “Sir I understand what you are saying, but we have to follow the rules. Sir, would you kindly step aside to this room so we can proceed with Strip searching your person, please”. The congressman complied, without all hell breaking loose. When the media got a whiff of this a few days later, they asked the congressman’s office for a response. The response was on the lines of …The congressman understands that security measures are needs to keep the country safe. I dont recall a tantrum.</p>
<p>Your excellency, dear SRK, a US congressman is far more important to the US than you will ever be.</p>
<p>Want another example? The daughter of the previous President ran afoul of the law and was booked by the cop for a drinking related charge! Yes, dear Shah Rukh Khan, you must think I am out of my mind. Well, I am not making stuff up. Even Al Gore the former Vice President got frisked more than once in the US! Colin Powell was frisked as well. So what do you think makes you more special than Congressmen, Vice Presidents, former Chief of Staff, and the family of the President of the United States?</p>
<p>I am so impressed by the spectacle of Indian politicians banding together and crying ‘bloody murder’ in your support - from Central Ministers (Chidambaram, Ambika Soni, and gang) to low lying bollywood has beens, wanna be’s, and side-kicks - all talking about ‘retaliation’ against the US!!!</p>
<p>Such balderdash leaves me amused. You see, every few months our friendly neighbor Pakistan sends us season’s terror greetings hand delivered by Al-Qaida, Taliban or Jaish-e-Mohammed trained terrorists, in what has become a macbre semi-annual blood letting ritual in India. The latest, as your excellency may recall, was the Mumbai terror attacks. Not one of our spineless Indian politicians ever spoke about ‘retaliating’ against Pakistan, leave alone actually retaliating, even as those jihadis butchered people inside the Mumbai hotels.</p>
<p>If I recall, you too had maintained a studious silence over the Mumbai terror attacks, and chose not to condemn Pakistan - and I can understand why, given your big fan following in Pakistan. Why should you antagonize the cash register, Shah Rukh khan? The world watched helplessly as Indians and foreigners alike were slaughtered in the Mumbai hotels by the terrorists.</p>
<p>Today India’s interior Security Minister hinted about suitable ‘retaliation’ against the US for taking 66 minutes to clear your immigration check . The then interior security minister of India did not talk about ‘retaliating’ against terror sponsors, while the jihadis butchered innocent women and children in Mumbai.</p>
<p>You see the irony, SRK, that when you had to wait 66 precious minutes of your exalted life in the air conditioned comforts of Newark Airport, Indian politicians are hard pressed to ‘retaliate’ against the US.</p>
<p>Are Indian politicians crying hoarse over SRK’s injured pride, due to political considerations?</p>
<p>I am forced to ask this question SRK, because when Lt Saruabh Kalia and 10 soldiers of his platoon were ambushed and kidnapped by Pakistan trained terrorists, and their badly mutilated and dismembered body parts returned in mangled heaps, our government chose ‘Peace’ over retaliation. When Bangladesh Rifles, captured a patrol of our BSF paramilitary soldiers and smashed their bodies into pancakes and returned them flat as postage stamps, our spineless politicians chose ‘peace’ over ‘retaliation’. But when you SRK, are made to wait 66 minutes, by US immigration in the US, as per the law of the land, the Indian government wants to ‘retaliate’ against the US.</p>
<p>You really are a precious and exalted super human, SRK. And why? Because you dance around trees, on camera, and shake a leg with bollywood item girls! Sorry, that may make you a superstar in India, but still doesn’t give you free immigration pass in the US.</p>
<p>Other Indian actors, muslim and Hindu, were questioned exactly as you were, as are thousands of other passengers. Not one of them cried ‘Mummy’ over this.</p>
<p>You know what, dear SRK, tough luck! Your big ego took a small hit. So what? This is the United States of America, and they have every right to run their country as they deem fit to ensure the safety of their ‘tax paying’ citizens.</p>
<p>Sorry! Dont expect the US immigration to instantly recognize, prostrate before, and usher out every actor, dancer, singer, sportsperson, and stand up comedian from India, France, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Albania, Greenland, Chile, Norway, Ghana, Nigeria, Mexico, Algeria, China, Mongolia, Italy, Somalia, Leichenstein, Afghanistan, Peru, Sudan, and the rest of this big wide world! Believe me there is more to this world than Shah Rukh Khan and Bollywood.</p>
<p>Dont like it? Dont come here. Stay at home and sulk in India.</p>
<p>You, and your antics, will not be missed.</p>
<p>Setu Madhavan (<a href="mailto:setu.madhavan@gmail.com">setu.madhavan@gmail.com</a>)</p>
<p>New York, USA</p>