BOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB and superstar Shahrukh Khan was detained for two hours at Newark Airport in New Jersey in the US early Saturday. He was detained on the grounds that his surname 'Khan' was on the alert list of airport officials. The actor, who is visiting the US to participate in a cultural event was released after the intervention of Congress MP Rajiv Shukla and other Indian diplomats in the US. Shahrukh Khan is believed to have been stopped at the airport after it was found that his surname figured on the suspect list. The immigration official grilled the star and his hand baggage was inspected despite Khan repeatedly assuring them that he had an invitation from the South Asian community.

Later speaking to the media, Khan said that a particular immigration official was not willing to listen to him, despite other officials vouching in his favour. The Bollywood star was later released after Congress MP Rajiv Shukla spoke to authorities. Shukla also condemned the incident and said that American authorities should ensure that well known personalities are not subjected to such harassment. He also said that a certain surname was not sufficient proof that the bearer of the name was a terror suspect.