Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan detained at US airport; American diplomats say sorry

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained again -- third time in seven years -- at Los Angeles airport on Thursday evening in United States.

Khan was stopped by the US immigration officials at the airport and he expressed his disappointment on Twitter.

"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) the actor tweeted after being detained at the airport.

However, this time around the actor found a good way to kill his time. “The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons,” the actor tweeted. 

"The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons," the 50-year-old actor said in another tweet. 

I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016

The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the US Department of State Nisha Desai Biswal has apologised for "hassle" Khan faced 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".

Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!

— Nisha Biswal (@NishaBiswal) August 12, 2016

US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma also offered appology to Shah Rukh Khan over the detention incident. 

"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."

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.

— Rich Verma (@USAmbIndia) August 12, 2016

Later, the actor replied to both American diplomats.

No hassle ma’m.Respect the protocol,not expecting to b above it. Appreciate ur graciousness, its just inconvenient. https://t.co/7QFatghuuu

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016

No trouble sir, respect the protocol & not expecting 2 b above it. It’s just a tad inconvenient. Thx for ur concern. https://t.co/zQspvxnXsl

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016

SRK was detained in 2009 and 2012 also

2009
Khan was detained at the Newark Airport in New Jersey for nearly two hours in 2009.

Following the incident, Khan had sought to downplay the "unfortunate procedure" at Newark airport and had said that he would not demand an apology. 

April 2012
The Bollywod actor was detained at the White Plains airport near New York for over two hours by immigration officials in April 2012.

Khan was in the US to visit Yale University and was accompanied by Nita Ambani, wife of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. He was understood to have been travelling in a private plane.

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," Khan had said to the Yale students.

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