Washington: Learning lessons from
Shahrukh Khan episode, Bollywood star Salman Khan has
cancelled his upcoming trip to New York to promote his latest
movie "Wanted", besides participating in the auction of his
personal paintings to raise funds for his charity.
Organisers and promoters associated with the event
cited Shahrukh Khan's episode at Newark Airport early this
month, where he was questioned by immigration officials and
taken for a second screening, as a major reason for Salman to
cancel his New York trip scheduled in early September.
The event was scheduled for September 3 in New York.
The promoters were also in talks with local organisers in
cities like Chicago, Houston and Dallas for his other events.
"However, after the Shahrukh Khan event, Salman
informed us that he would not like to take the risk of coming
to the US at this point," an informed source involved with the
planning and organising the September 3 event said.
It is understood that Salman's decision was also
propelled by what his aid alleged "the hard time" being given
by the US Consulate in Mumbai in approving the visa of his
close associates, including one of his family members, whom
Salman wanted to bring along with on this promotional trip.
Besides Salman Khan, producer Boney Kapoor, former
Bollywood star, Sridevi and Prabhu Deva were also scheduled to
attend the New York meeting.
Informed sources said following the Shahrukh episode,
which attracted much media publicity in both India and the US,
there is a sense of reluctance among local promoters and
organisers of Bollywood events to risk inviting starts from
Mumbai.
Shahrukh had alleged that he was detained and
questioned at the airport for nearly two hours as his name
popped up on the computer of the immigration counter.
He alleged that he was subject to questioning as his
last name was Khan, a charge denied by the US Customs and
Border Patrol.
Bureau Report