Foreign ministry had to intervene to secure release of SRK

NEW DELHI: The foreign ministry had to intervene to ensure Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "quick release" after he was detained by US immigration authorities at Los Angeles airport on Friday, government sources here said.

Taking up the issue with top US diplomats both here and in Washington, the government asked the US to ensure that Khan, one of the most recognisable faces in the world, was not subjected to such humiliating "extra screening".

Official sources said members of Khan's entourage contacted foreign ministry officials soon after he was asked to step aside by immigration authorities for further screening. "The matter was taken up with the US embassy here and also with the state department by the Indian embassy in Washington, DC. This helped in his quick release,'' an official source said. Khan remained at the airport for close to 2 hours.

After India took up the issue, US ambassador to India Richard Verma sought to douse the flames by apologising to 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 tweeted.

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

Verma's tweet was a welcome improvement on an earlier reaction from US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia Nisha Biswal whose 'apology' seemed a lot more qualified. "Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening," Biswal had tweeted earlier.

Khan was quick to acknowledge Verma's response. "No trouble sir, respect the protocol and not expecting to be above it. Its just a tad inconvenient. Thanks for your concern," he tweeted.

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

This was the third time in seven years that Khan, who took to Twitter to express his anguish, was detained at a US airport. "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.

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

He was detained for almost 90 minutes at Newark airport in New Jersey in 2009 and then again in 2012 at an airport near New York in 2012. In New Jersey too, the Indian embassy had to intervene to secure his release.

Later he again tweeted, "The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons".

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

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