In an ironic twist of fate, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, whose latest film 'My Name is Khan' has been shot in the US, was Saturday questioned for two hours at Newark airport over his surname and was freed only after Indian diplomats intervened.

The Indian government and the entertainment industry reacted strongly after the 43-year-old superstar, named by Newsweek last year as one of the world's 50 most powerful men, revealed how he was detained and stopped from even using his cellphone.

Shah Rukh had been in the US for quite some time shooting 'My Name Is Khan'. The film is about a Muslim (Shah Rukh Khan) who suffers from Asperger syndrome, a form of autism which impacts social interaction abilities. He is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after the authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour. Also starring Kajol, the film is scheduled for a 2010 release.

Shah Rukh had been in India for a while and was on his way to Chicago to attend an event related to India's Independence Day when the Newark incident happened.'They checked me because I was an Asian... They wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying,' Shah Rukh said.

Asked about the same, Shah Rukh, who is married to Gauri Chibber, a Hindu, said: 'Certain countries have issues with my name.' He quickly added: 'I am very proud of my name.' In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.

Shah Rukh was a 'global icon' and 'he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,' the envoy added.Describing Shah Rukh as the 'pride of India', Overseas Indian Affairs Minster Vayalar Ravi expressed surprise he was detained at the airport.