Shahrukh Khan: 'It wasn't a stunt'

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan has denied that his argument with US immigration officials was a publicity stunt to raise his international profile.

The 43-year-old, who said that he was singled out at an American airport because of his Muslim name, dismissed claims that the event had been timed to coincide with the forthcoming release of his film My Name is Khan.

The movie deals with the difficulties facing Muslims in the US following the attack on the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001.

"It's not a publicity stunt. It's not about my upcoming movie. I know that the media has made it an issue," the AFP quotes him as telling a news conference in Mumbai.

Khan claimed that he was the victim of racial profiling after being held and questioned for two hours at Newark Liberty International Airport near New York.

However, officials said that he was kept waiting for an hour while his missing luggage was located.