When Neil Mukesh Was Racially Screened In US

‘They
were
not
sure
that
I
was
of
Indian
origin
as
their
stereotypical
image
of
an
Indian
was
that
of
a
dark-skinned
dude.’

Actor
Neil
Nitin
Mukesh
has
spoken
on
being
racially
screened
at
a
US
airport
while
shooting
for
Kabir
Khan’s

New
York
in
2008.

When

Subhash
K
Jha
asked
him
about
the
incident
Neil
promptly
elaborated,
“It
was
a
log
time
ago
at
New
York
airport.
I
had
flown
on
for
a
shoot
on
a
work
visa
so
they
were
questioning
on
that
front
and
were
not
too
sure
that
I
was
of
Indian
origin
as
their
stereotypical
image
of
an
Indian
was
that
of
a
dark-skinned
dude.

“I
explained,
saying
that
up
North
in
India
men
are
fair-skinned,
but
was
sent
to
a
room
and
not
allowed
to
speak.

“An
officer
came
a
little
later,
questioned
me.
They
allowed
me
to
speak
and
I
asked
them
to
check
up
on
my
name
on
the
Internet
if
that
could
help
answer
their
questions.”

Neil
wasn’t
the
least
intimidated.

“That
wasn’t
their
intention.
I
wasn’t
scared
at
all
since
I
had
done
no
wrong
and
they
were
doing
their
duty.
The
time
was
sensitive
and
I
respect
their
sentiment
and
security
measures
for
the
safety
of
their
people.”

Neil
recently
co-starred
with
R
Madhavan
in

Hisaab
Baraabar.
He
is
all
praise
for
Maddy.

“Maddy
is
like
a
big
brother
I
look
up
to.
One
of
the
finest
co-actors
to
work
with.
Such
a
selfless
actor
who
is
extremely
supportive
of
not
just
his
co-actors
but
the
entire
unit.”