After SRK episode, Salman Khan cancels US trip

WASHINGTON: Learning lessons from Shah Rukh 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 told PTI.

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.