Khan Denies U.S. detainment was a 'Publicity Stunt'

The Indian superstar was reportedly detained after he jetted into Newark Airport, New Jersey on Saturday (15Aug09).

Khan was allegedly frisked and kept waiting for hours in the airport while authorities checked his visas and reasons for visiting America.

After his release, Khan, who was in the U.S. as part of celebrations for India's Independence Day, hit out at the airport interrogation - insisting he was singled out because of his last name.

He told reporters, "(Khan) is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist."

But the actor has been forced to refute online gossips' claims he only made the incident public knowledge because he has a new film to promote - which bizarrely deals with racial profiling in the U.S. following the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

He told a press conference in Mumbai, India, "It's not a publicity stunt. It's not about my upcoming movie. I know that the media has made it an issue."

Khan insisted he had "no problem with what happened," and tried to calm down the media storm surrounding the incident by joking, "Next time when Angelina Jolie is here, give me the chance to frisk her." (MJ/WNWA/IG)

-WENN-IANS