SRK throws a tantrum and the media laps it up

This news surely did not merit front-page coverage in the newspapers in India. Shahrukh Khan, one of the most popular actors in the Indian film industry was taken for a second check and questioned by an immigration officer in the US. He had gone to the US on 14th August to take part in the Independence Day parade held there. He said he was angry and hurt that he was “detained” for 2 hours, questioned and not even allowed to make a phone call even when he said that he was a well-known Indian celebrity. Fine, he is a celebrity here. That does not allow him to not undergo normal security procedures. It is commonly done as a part of a slew of strict security measures at the airports to ask people to step aside for further questioning if the immigration officer has any suspicion. Should you be allowed to go because you are an actor or a sportsperson? No, by all means follow the normal procedures. It should make us happy that the security is tight and does not budge even for celebrities. This ensures that a terrorist has less chances of slipping through in the guise of a known persona.

Another problem is the haughty attitude of “celebs” to break lines and breeze past security at airports in India due to their status. They have been spoiled and they expect the same treatment wherever they go. What is the big fuss if SRK “wasted” two hours. He was not detained, jailed or beaten up merely questioned. He was not an invitee of the US government or a diplomat on government duty that he’d be accorded some concession. He was merely there as a film actor to make some money on a public appearance which is his personal work. His film industry side-kicks/friends being “shocked” or horrified is plain laughable. It shows that these people are really dense in their heads. The only decent comment came from Salman Khan, another actor, who said that such security procedures makes him feel safer. Of course, his rivalry with SRK also leads to this pragmatic comment :).

Crying racial discrimination because he is a Muslim is also ridiculous. Just shows the ease with which we are ready to heap insinuations on others without much basis. Let us all learn to follow rules and procedures whether we are celebrities or not. The media once again hypes a non issue and fills it with inane quotes. These are by no means any reflection on the opinion held by most people in India.