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== Newark Airport incident ==
== Newark Airport incident ==
On August 14, 2009, Khan arrived in the [[United States]] in order to both promote ''My Name Is Khan'' and to participate in various India-related events around the country (including [[Independence Day (India)|Indian Independence Day]]). After arriving at [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark Airport]] in [[New Jersey]], he was pulled aside by Immigration officers as his name popped up on their computer. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKVkUpEyEnprYKsiOjcexBS3KH-Q |title=Shahrukh Khan says stopped at US airport|last=Chakraborty|first=Pratap|date=2009-08-16|work=[[Google News]]|accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> and questioned for two hours in a separate room about the nature of his visit.<ref name=timesonline>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/16/bollywood-anger-shah-rukh-khan-us-immigration |title=Bollywood anger over actor Shah Rukh Khan's 'detention' by US immigration|date=2009-08-16|last=Press|first=Associated|authorlink=Associated Press|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian News and Media Limited]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/bollywood/article6797998.ece|title= Diplomatic row after Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan questioned by US customs|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|last=Jha|first=Subhas K.|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> Khan stated that he was told that it was because "they said my name was common to some name that popped up on the computer." <ref name=held/><ref name=more>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/99336/us-needs-to-offer-little-more-warmth-srk.html |title=U.S. Needs to Offer A Little More Warmth:SRK (video interview)|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|publisher=[[Global Broadcast News]]|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> The officials asked if he could provide names of people to vouch for him. Khan noted that he "had all the documents; they were asking me where I was going to be staying. I gave the name of FOX people with whom I had finalised a deal a few days ago as contacts." However because they wanted to check his luggage which the airline had lost, Khan said that he "was taken to a room where many people were awaiting a secondary check on visa, most were Asians. In fact many officers were reluctantly vouching for me, some people were asking for autographs and a Pakistani fan even said he knew who I was. But the officers said it was procedure and kept taking numbers from me."<ref name=held>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/detained-because-my-name-is-khan-says-srk---ministry-angry--sallu-on-srk/99259-8.html |title=Held because my name is Khan, says SRK|date=2009-08-15|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|publisher=[[Global Broadcast News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bollywood-superstar-at-centre-of-us-diplomatic-row-1773083.html |title=Bollywood star at centre of US diplomatic row|last=Adams|first=Guy|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]}}</ref> While he wasn't allowed to use his own phone, Khan was permitted one phone call.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4897426.cms |title=My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK feels the heat of American paranoia|last=Rajghatta|first=Chidanand|coauthor=Dubey, Bharti|date=2009-08-15|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> He was thus released after officials from the [[Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.|Indian Consulate]] intervened. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel stated that the event will be further explored with U.S. officials.<ref name=more/> According to the [[BBC]], "Elmer Camacho, a spokesman for the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, said the questioning was part of the agency's routine process to screen foreign travellers."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8203696.stm |title=Row over US Bollywood 'detention'|last=Reporter|first=BBC|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[BBC]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref>
On August 14, 2009, Khan arrived in the [[United States]] in order to both promote ''My Name Is Khan'' and to participate in various India-related events around the country (including [[Independence Day (India)|Indian Independence Day]]). After arriving at [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark Airport]] in [[New Jersey]], he was pulled aside by Immigration officers as his name popped up on their computer. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKVkUpEyEnprYKsiOjcexBS3KH-Q |title=Shahrukh Khan says stopped at US airport|last=Chakraborty|first=Pratap|date=2009-08-16|work=[[Google News]]|accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> and questioned for two hours in a separate room about the nature of his visit.<ref name=timesonline>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/16/bollywood-anger-shah-rukh-khan-us-immigration |title=Bollywood anger over actor Shah Rukh Khan's 'detention' by US immigration|date=2009-08-16|last=Press|first=Associated|authorlink=Associated Press|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian News and Media Limited]]|accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/bollywood/article6797998.ece|title= Diplomatic row after Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan questioned by US customs|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|last=Jha|first=Subhas K.|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> Khan stated that he was told that it was because "they said my name was common to some name that popped up on the computer." <ref name=held/><ref name=more>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/99336/us-needs-to-offer-little-more-warmth-srk.html |title=U.S. Needs to Offer A Little More Warmth:SRK (video interview)|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|publisher=[[Global Broadcast News]]|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> The officials asked if he could provide names of people to vouch for him. Khan noted that he "had all the documents; they were asking me where I was going to be staying. I gave the name of FOX people with whom I had finalised a deal a few days ago as contacts." However because they wanted to check his luggage which the airline had lost, Khan said that he "was taken to a room where many people were awaiting a secondary check on visa, most were Asians. In fact many officers were reluctantly vouching for me, some people were asking for autographs and a Pakistani fan even said he knew who I was. But the officers said it was procedure and kept taking numbers from me."<ref name=held>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/detained-because-my-name-is-khan-says-srk---ministry-angry--sallu-on-srk/99259-8.html |title=Held because my name is Khan, says SRK|date=2009-08-15|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|publisher=[[Global Broadcast News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bollywood-superstar-at-centre-of-us-diplomatic-row-1773083.html |title=Bollywood star at centre of US diplomatic row|last=Adams|first=Guy|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]}}</ref> While he wasn't allowed to use his own phone, Khan was permitted one phone call.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4897426.cms |title=My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK feels the heat of American paranoia|last=Rajghatta|first=Chidanand|coauthor=Dubey, Bharti|date=2009-08-15|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> He was thus released after officials from the [[Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.|Indian Consulate]] intervened. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel stated that the event will be further explored with U.S. officials.<ref name=more/> According to the [[BBC]], "Elmer Camacho, a spokesman for the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, said the questioning was part of the agency's routine process to screen foreign travellers."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8203696.stm |title=Row over US Bollywood 'detention'|last=Reporter|first=BBC|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[BBC]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> When later asked during an interview whether he was angry, Khan responded that, <blockquote>"I did feel bad for a lot of people in that room, I know because I had an escort and someone would recognise me, I will get out. Others may face more trouble [...] I have extra security because of my name. I can handle this but when you have someone as respectable as an ex-president getting frisked, I am nobody" (in reference to the frisking of President [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] earlier in the summer).<ref name=held/></blockquote> Khan later stated that, "I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure." When asked if he would demand an apology, Khan replied that he would not.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/231608_Shahrukh-Khan-seeks-to-downplay-detention-episode |title=Shahrukh Khan seeks to downplay detention episode|last=Reporter|first=Daily|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[Press Trust of India]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>


⚫
The incident has initiated debate on the topic <ref>{{cite web|url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/questioning-a-bollywood-vip-named-khan/ |title=Questioning a Bollywood V.I.P. Named Khan|last=Wheaton|first=Sarah|date=2009-08-15|work=[[The New York Times]]|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> and demonstrations in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJqZbM0emKNsC982qV0yDXI5RHVQD9A4034G0|title= Actor's US detention spark outrage in India|last=George|first=Nirmala|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[Google News]]}}</ref> A number of individuals have also responded to the event. Director of ''My Name Is Khan,'' [[Karan Johar]] was asked during an interview with ''[[MiD DAY]]'' about the similarity between the film's plot and this incident. Johar responded: "It's upsetting because I got a text message this morning asking me if it was publicity plug for my movie. (Sarcastically) I mean, if I had that much power over the Homeland Security, why would I allow Shah Rukh to go through something like this? [...] What's really shocking is the fact that when I was writing the film, I never thought that what happened to the protagonist of the film would happen to Shah Rukh."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/aug/160809-Karan-Johar-Interview-Shah-Rukh-Khan-detained-airport-problem-Mumbai.htm |title='Shah Rukh always had this fear...'|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|last=Sukumaran|first=Shraddha|work=[[MiD DAY]]|publisher=Mid Day Multimedia Limited}}</ref> Dr. [[Shashi Tharoor]], the [[India]]n [[Minister of State#Minor government ranks|Minister of State]] for [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs]] and a member of the [[Indian Parliament]], commented on the incident stating that "we all found it offensive" and praised Khan for handling it with "great dignity."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/232432_Shahrukh-s-detention-in-US-to-be-taken-up-by-India |title=Shahrukh's detention in US to be taken up by India|last=Reporter|first=PTI|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[Press Trust of India]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Actress [[Juhi Chawla]] also stated that it was "as absurd as [[Brad Pitt]] coming to [[India]], being strip-searched, investigated and interrogated."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_film-industry-outraged-over-treatment-meted-out-to-shah-rukh_1282689 |title=Film industry outraged over treatment meted out to Shah Rukh|last=Reporter|first=PTI|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[DNA (newspaper)|DNA]]|publisher=Diligent Media Corporation}}</ref> Other figures in the Indian entertainment industry each with the last name "Khan" noted similar travel experiences ([[Zayed Khan]], [[Mohammad Iqbal Khan|Iqbal Khan]], [[Shabina Khan]], [[Kabir Khan (director)|Kabir Khan]], [[Irrfan Khan]], [[Dilip Kumar]]/Yusuf Khan, [[Eijaz Khan]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-it-happened-to-us-too-Khans/articleshow/4900815.cms |title=SRK, it happened to us too: Khans|last=Jha|first=Subhas K.|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-21|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref> [[Deepak Chopra]]'s son, author and businessman [[Gotham Chopra]] echoed these sentiments by stating:
When later asked during an interview whether he was angry, Khan responded that, "I did feel bad for a lot of people in that room, I know because I had an escort and someone would recognise me, I will get out. Others may face more trouble [...] I have extra security because of my name. I can handle this but when you have someone as respectable as an ex-president getting frisked, I am nobody" (in reference to the frisking of President [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] earlier in the summer).<ref name=held/><ref>[http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20071024-32000.html Shah Rukh Khan faces extra security checks because of surname]</ref> Khan later stated that, "I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure." When asked if he would demand an apology, Khan replied that he would not.<ref>[http://www.ptinews.com/news/231608_Shahrukh-Khan-seeks-to-downplay-detention-episode Shahrukh Khan seeks to downplay detention episode]</ref>
<blockquote>"It's not just American customs agents being provincial, it's the fact that I would guess that in India alone, there are several million Khans. I'm not joking. Khan is one of the most common Muslim names and India is not even an Islamic country. "Ghengis Khan," anyone? Khan is like Jones or Smith. This is how our security works in the US? This is how we are catching terrorists? Are you kidding me?" <ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-is-bigger-than-Pitt-Madonna-Gotham-Chopra/articleshow/4900894.cms |title=SRK is bigger than Pitt, Madonna: Gotham Chopra|accessdate=2009-08-21|last=Chopra|first=Gotham|authorlink=Gotham Chopra]]|date=2009-08-17|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]}}</ref></blockquote>

⚫
The incident has initiated debate on the topic <ref>[http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/questioning-a-bollywood-vip-named-khan/ Questioning a Bollywood V.I.P. Named Khan]</ref> and demonstrations in India.<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJqZbM0emKNsC982qV0yDXI5RHVQD9A4034G0 Actor's US detention spark outrage in India]</ref> A number of individuals have also responded to the event. Director of ''My Name Is Khan,'' [[Karan Johar]] was asked during an interview with ''[[MiD DAY]]'' about the similarity between the film's plot and this incident. Johar responded: "It's upsetting because I got a text message this morning asking me if it was publicity plug for my movie. (Sarcastically) I mean, if I had that much power over the Homeland Security, why would I allow Shah Rukh to go through something like this? [...] What's really shocking is the fact that when I was writing the film, I never thought that what happened to the protagonist of the film would happen to Shah Rukh."<ref>[http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/aug/160809-Karan-Johar-Interview-Shah-Rukh-Khan-detained-airport-problem-Mumbai.htm 'Shah Rukh always had this fear...']</ref> Dr. [[Shashi Tharoor]], the [[India]]n [[Minister of State#Minor government ranks|Minister of State]] for [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs]] and a member of the [[Indian Parliament]], commented on the incident stating that "we all found it offensive" and praised Khan for handling it with "great dignity."<ref>[http://www.ptinews.com/news/232432_Shahrukh-s-detention-in-US-to-be-taken-up-by-India Shahrukh's detention in US to be taken up by India]</ref> Actress [[Juhi Chawla]] also stated that it was "as absurd as [[Brad Pitt]] coming to [[India]], being strip-searched, investigated and interrogated." <ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_film-industry-outraged-over-treatment-meted-out-to-shah-rukh_1282689 Film industry outraged over treatment meted' out to Shah Rukh]</ref> Other figures in the Indian entertainment industry each with the last name "Khan" noted similar travel experiences ([[Zayed Khan]], [[Mohammad Iqbal Khan|Iqbal Khan]], [[Shabina Khan]], [[Kabir Khan (director)|Kabir Khan]], [[Irrfan Khan]], [[Dilip Kumar]]/Yusuf Khan, [[Eijaz Khan]]). <ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-it-happened-to-us-too-Khans/articleshow/4900815.cms SRK, it happened to us too: Khans]</ref> [[Deepak Chopra]]'s son, author and businessman [[Gotham Chopra]] echoed these sentiments by stating: "It's not just American customs agents being provincial, it's the fact that I would guess that in India alone, there are several million Khans. I'm not joking. Khan is one of the most common Muslim names and India is not even an Islamic country. "Ghengis Khan," anyone? Khan is like Jones or Smith. This is how our security works in the US? This is how we are catching terrorists? Are you kidding me?" <ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-is-bigger-than-Pitt-Madonna-Gotham-Chopra/articleshow/4900894.cms SRK is bigger than Pitt, Madonna: Gotham Chopra]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 10:12, 21 August 2009

Template:Future film

My Name Is Khan
File:Mynameiskhan.jpg
Theatrical Poster
Directed byKaran Johar
Written byScreenplay:
Shibani Bathija
Story:
Karan Johar
Shibani Bathija
Dialogue:
Niranjan Iyengar[2]
Shibani Bathija
Produced byDharma Productions
Red Chillies Entertainment
StarringShahrukh Khan
Kajol
Jimmy Shergill
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Music byShankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures
Release date
February 2010[1]
Country India
LanguageHindi

My Name Is Khan (Hindi: माई नेम इज़ खान) is an upcoming 2010 Bollywood film based upon a true story.[3] It is directed by Karan Johar, co-produced by Johar (Dharma Productions) and Shahrukh Khan, (Red Chillies Entertainment)[4] has a screenplay by Shibani Bathija, and stars Khan and Kajol. The musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the film's score.[5] Cinematography is by Ravi K. Chandran.[6]

The film is slated for a February 2010 release.[1] On August 7, 2009, Shahrukh Khan signed a deal for 1 billion INR with Fox Studios, who will market and distribute the film in India (FOXSTAR) and worldwide (Fox Searchlight). [4][7]

Plot

Rizwan Khan (Tanay Chheda) is a Muslim child he grew up with his mother (Zarina Wahab) in the Borivali section of Mumbai.[8] Rizwan has Asperger syndrome.[9] As an adult (Shahrukh Khan), Rizwan falls in love with a Hindu single mother, Mandira (Kajol) who lives in San Francisco.[10]

While not focusing on the events of 9/11,[11] the storyline explores the period afterwards. At that time, authorities arrest and detain Rizwan, after interpreting the visible aspects of his condition as "suspicious" behavior. After his arrest, he meets Radha (Sheetal Menon), a therapist who helps him overcome the ordeal.[12][13] Rizwan then begins a journey to find and meet President Barack Obama (Christopher B. Duncan) in order to clear his name.[10]

Cast

Actor/Actress Role
Shahrukh Khan Rizwan Khan
Kajol Mandira Khan
Jimmy Shergill Rizwan's brother
Zarina Wahab Rizwan's mother
Sonya Jehan
Arif Zakaria Faisal Rahman
Tanay Chheda Rizwan Khan (as a child)
Parvin Dabas
Sheetal Menon Radha,
Arjun Mathur Raj
Navneet Nishan
Christopher B. Duncan President Barack Obama
Shane Harper Tim
Steffany Huckaby Kathy Baker
Katie A. Keane Sarah

Themes

In an August 2009 interview, Shah Rukh Khan stated that My Name Is Khan is "not about terrorism, or 9/11. It’s about a relationship between two people, between an individual and the State, and between an individual and the country. In short, there the three important components: love story, Islam and a mild form of autism."[11]

In an earlier July 2009 interview, Khan also noted that the film focuses on themes concerning "the relationship between the Western world and Islam and how that has changed over the past few years." He describes the film as about "the journey of one family and how it changes because of 9/11" and suggests "we touch upon that in a very unbiased and educated way."[10] In another early interview, he also stated that, "it’s not about a disabled man’s fight against disability. It’s a disabled man’s fight against the disability that exists in the world — terrorism, hatred, fighting [...] My Name is Khan is also about Islam and the way the world looks at Islam but we are not taking any sides. We are only trying to say that there are only good people and bad people. There are no good Hindus, bad Hindus, good Christians, bad Christians. Either you are a good person or a bad person. Religion is not the criterion, humanity is."[9]

In late 2008, journalist Madhureeta Mukherjee (referring to the post - 2008 Mumbai attacks atmosphere in India) suggested in an interview with Karan Johar that, "My Name Is Khan starts at a time when Hindus and Muslims in India have united like never before." In response, Johar stated: "I think it’s an exceptionally relevant time, as the unity of our nation is of paramount importance, and I am very happy to witness such a movement in front of my eyes. We are all coming together to fight for a common cause – called humanity. Everyone knows that terrorism has no religion and it will never have a religion. As a filmmaker, I believe that I have a social responsibility and I promise to fulfill that." [14]

Production

Pre-production and casting

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol were cast in the lead roles, reuniting them after many years.[15] Kareena Kapoor was also considered for Kajol's role, but Kajol was Johar's first choice.[16] The film faced a temporary setback during late December when actor Aamir Bashir was denied a visa to the United States.[17] He was eventually replaced by Jimmy Shergill as Shahrukh Khan's younger brother. [18] Although Shabana Azmi was originally cast as Shah Rukh Khan's mother[19] she left the production after Shahrukh Khan's shoulder injury delayed the filming schedule.[9][20] She was replaced in the role by Zarina Wahab.[21] Tanay Chheda will portray Shah Rukh Khan's character as a child living in the Borivali section of Mumbai. [22] Chheda was chosen because he resembles Shah Rukh Khan and because he is recognizable to an international audience after portraying "middle Jamal" in Slumdog Millionaire. [8] American actor Christopher B. Duncan was chosen to portray President Barack Obama. Duncan is known for his interpretation of Obama on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[23]

Johar also asked Khan to co-produce the film, as "we were both passionate about the subject, we said why not co-produce the film? We’ve known each other so long [...] that this new initiative is just an extension of our emotions. Besides, I can never make a film without Shah Rukh. He is a big part of me and my family. He’s like the older brother I never had. I love SRK as a unit — that includes his wife, children, sister and his in-laws."[24]

Production

Production of the film is taking place in India and the United States. Filming began in Los Angeles during December 2008 [9][25] and one of the locations used was UCLA.[26] Johar next continued production in Mumbai during April 2009.[8] During June 2009, production moved to San Francisco[27] and the Bay Area, where they filmed a key scene at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose.[28]

Johar had difficulties finding a mosque to film in. According to actor Arif Zakaria, "I don't know if Karan tried to get permission in Mumbai. But we were to shoot in a mosque in Los Angeles and hard as Karan tried to convince the authorities that his film would not propagate anti-social values, he was denied permission [...] We finally shot the two-day scene with Shah Rukh Khan on the set of a mosque constructed at The Club in Andheri." [29]

After filming in Los Angeles was completed, Johar stated that, "in all my 11 years as a filmmaker I’ve never felt the experience to be so different. The content of My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I’ve done in the past."[18] He described working with both Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol again as "magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen." Johar also stated that he was "blown away by Shah Rukh who had done monumental research on his autistic character in the film. I was zapped by how much he knew about the subject."[18]

Newark Airport incident

On August 14, 2009, Khan arrived in the United States in order to both promote My Name Is Khan and to participate in various India-related events around the country (including Indian Independence Day). After arriving at Newark Airport in New Jersey, he was pulled aside by Immigration officers as his name popped up on their computer. [30] and questioned for two hours in a separate room about the nature of his visit.[31][32] Khan stated that he was told that it was because "they said my name was common to some name that popped up on the computer." [33][34] The officials asked if he could provide names of people to vouch for him. Khan noted that he "had all the documents; they were asking me where I was going to be staying. I gave the name of FOX people with whom I had finalised a deal a few days ago as contacts." However because they wanted to check his luggage which the airline had lost, Khan said that he "was taken to a room where many people were awaiting a secondary check on visa, most were Asians. In fact many officers were reluctantly vouching for me, some people were asking for autographs and a Pakistani fan even said he knew who I was. But the officers said it was procedure and kept taking numbers from me."[33][35] While he wasn't allowed to use his own phone, Khan was permitted one phone call.[36] He was thus released after officials from the Indian Consulate intervened. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel stated that the event will be further explored with U.S. officials.[34] According to the BBC, "Elmer Camacho, a spokesman for the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, said the questioning was part of the agency's routine process to screen foreign travellers."[37] When later asked during an interview whether he was angry, Khan responded that,

"I did feel bad for a lot of people in that room, I know because I had an escort and someone would recognise me, I will get out. Others may face more trouble [...] I have extra security because of my name. I can handle this but when you have someone as respectable as an ex-president getting frisked, I am nobody" (in reference to the frisking of President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam earlier in the summer).[33]

Khan later stated that, "I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure." When asked if he would demand an apology, Khan replied that he would not.[38]

The incident has initiated debate on the topic [39] and demonstrations in India.[40] A number of individuals have also responded to the event. Director of My Name Is Khan, Karan Johar was asked during an interview with MiD DAY about the similarity between the film's plot and this incident. Johar responded: "It's upsetting because I got a text message this morning asking me if it was publicity plug for my movie. (Sarcastically) I mean, if I had that much power over the Homeland Security, why would I allow Shah Rukh to go through something like this? [...] What's really shocking is the fact that when I was writing the film, I never thought that what happened to the protagonist of the film would happen to Shah Rukh."[41] Dr. Shashi Tharoor, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and a member of the Indian Parliament, commented on the incident stating that "we all found it offensive" and praised Khan for handling it with "great dignity."[42] Actress Juhi Chawla also stated that it was "as absurd as Brad Pitt coming to India, being strip-searched, investigated and interrogated."[43] Other figures in the Indian entertainment industry each with the last name "Khan" noted similar travel experiences (Zayed Khan, Iqbal Khan, Shabina Khan, Kabir Khan, Irrfan Khan, Dilip Kumar/Yusuf Khan, Eijaz Khan).[44] Deepak Chopra's son, author and businessman Gotham Chopra echoed these sentiments by stating:

"It's not just American customs agents being provincial, it's the fact that I would guess that in India alone, there are several million Khans. I'm not joking. Khan is one of the most common Muslim names and India is not even an Islamic country. "Ghengis Khan," anyone? Khan is like Jones or Smith. This is how our security works in the US? This is how we are catching terrorists? Are you kidding me?" [45]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Dharma productions forthcoming films". Dharma Productions. 2010.
  2. ^ Tsering, Lisa (2009-06-01). "'My Name Is Khan' to Show a Different Side of SRK". India-West. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  3. ^ Admin, Net (2009-02-13). "Film KHAN a true story: Karan Johar". Bolywoodz.net. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  4. ^ a b Bhusan, Nyay (2009-08-06). "Fox Star to distribute 'Khan'". The Hollywood Reporter. William Wilkerson. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  5. ^ Dubey, Rachna (2009-01-01). "Music Forecast: Kaun banega scorepati?". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  6. ^ "Spotted: Ravi K Chandran shooting for My Name is Khan". Rediff.com. 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  7. ^ White, Beverly (2009-08-06). "SRK-Fox in a Rs 100 crore deal". NDTV. Prannoy Roy Publications. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  8. ^ a b c Jha, Subhas K. (2009-04-13). "Karan Johar trains lens on slums with Slumdog kid". Thaindian News. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  9. ^ a b c d Gupta, Pratim D. (2009-03-07). "A BMW Date With SRK". The Telegraph. Ananda Publishers. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  10. ^ a b c Admin, Net (2009-06-13). "Exclusive Interview: 'I Only Make Love Stories': Shah Rukh Khan". India-West. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  11. ^ a b Ahmed, Afsana (2009-08-09). "Meet my new avatar: SRK". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  12. ^ Gajjar, Manish (2009-06-19). "Film shooting for Johar's film underway". BBC. BBC Online. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  13. ^ Singh, Mauli (2009-02-18). "She does Shilpa, SRK". The Telegraph. Ananda Publishers. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  14. ^ Mukherjee, Madhurita (2009-07-13). "'Entertainment is recession proof!'". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  15. ^ Banerjee, Arnab (2007-05-10). "Kajol -SRK to sizzle again?". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  16. ^ "My Name Is Khan: Kareena out, Kajol in". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  17. ^ Maniar, Parag (2008-12-23). "Aamir Bashir denied US visa". Mumbai Mirror. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  18. ^ a b c Jha, Subhas K. (2009-02-06). "Karan's bonding with SRK & Kajol". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  19. ^ Taneja, Nikhil. "No mom, no dadi, just me, says Shabana". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  20. ^ Jha, Subhas K. (2009-02-19). "Shabana's role to be re-cast in SRK's film". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  21. ^ Movietalkies (2009-03-17). "Another Addition to the Cast of My Name Is Khan". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  22. ^ Jha, Subhas K. (2009-04-10). "Slumdog kid to play junior SRK". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  23. ^ Ratner, Andrew (2009-02-17). "Presidential pretenders finding Web success". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  24. ^ Ahmed, Afsana (2009-03-25). "SRK is like an elder brother: Karan". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  25. ^ Jha, Subhas K. (2009-07-25). "Crazy about Shah Rukh". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  26. ^ "Spotted: SRK, Karan Johar in Los Angeles". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  27. ^ "On the sets of SRK's My Name is Khan". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  28. ^ Reporter, Metro (2009-08-03). "Pizarro: Bollywood pays a visit to San Jose's Children's Discovery Museum". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |publishers= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Jha, Subhash K. (2009-04-25). "KJo denied permission to shoot in LA mosque". MiD DAY. Mid Day Multimedia Limited. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  30. ^ Chakraborty, Pratap (2009-08-16). "Shahrukh Khan says stopped at US airport". Google News. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  31. ^ Press, Associated (2009-08-16). "Bollywood anger over actor Shah Rukh Khan's 'detention' by US immigration". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  32. ^ Jha, Subhas K. (2009-08-17). "Diplomatic row after Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan questioned by US customs". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  33. ^ a b c "Held because my name is Khan, says SRK". CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News. 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  34. ^ a b "U.S. Needs to Offer A Little More Warmth:SRK (video interview)". CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News. 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  35. ^ Adams, Guy (2009-08-16). "Bollywood star at centre of US diplomatic row". The Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  36. ^ Rajghatta, Chidanand (2009-08-15). "My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK feels the heat of American paranoia". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Reporter, BBC (2009-08-16). "Row over US Bollywood 'detention'". BBC. BBC Online. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  38. ^ Reporter, Daily (2009-08-17). "Shahrukh Khan seeks to downplay detention episode". Press Trust of India. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  39. ^ Wheaton, Sarah (2009-08-15). "Questioning a Bollywood V.I.P. Named Khan". The New York Times. The New York Times Company.
  40. ^ George, Nirmala (2009-08-17). "Actor's US detention spark outrage in India". Google News. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  41. ^ Sukumaran, Shraddha (2009-08-16). "'Shah Rukh always had this fear...'". MiD DAY. Mid Day Multimedia Limited. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  42. ^ Reporter, PTI (2009-08-17). "Shahrukh's detention in US to be taken up by India". Press Trust of India. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  43. ^ Reporter, PTI (2009-08-16). "Film industry outraged over treatment meted out to Shah Rukh". DNA. Diligent Media Corporation. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  44. ^ Jha, Subhas K. (2009-08-17). "SRK, it happened to us too: Khans". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  45. ^ Chopra, Gotham (2009-08-17). "SRK is bigger than Pitt, Madonna: Gotham Chopra". The Times of India. The Times Group. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite news}}: Check |authorlink= value (help)
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