October 25, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 12, 1428

MUMBAI, Oct 24: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says his next film will look at discrimination faced by Muslims after the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States.

Khan, who like many prominent stars in the Indian film industry is Muslim, has faced extra scrutiny after the 2001 attacks in the United States.

“If you travel internationally with a Muslim surname, you might be considered as a terrorist,” Khan told Wednesday’s DNA newspaper.

“At London airport, every time I go, people recognise me but they see my second name and they give me an extra checking,” said the star, who is known for his successful romantic comedies. Khan said he had experienced greater religious discrimination abroad, though India, which is majority Hindu but home to 140 million Muslims, sees regular sectarian violence.

“There is no difference between a Khan and a Kumar surname here but internationally it makes a difference,” he said, referring to a common Hindu surname. The film will be titled, “My Name is Khan,” and it will be directed by Khan’s friend, Karan Johar.

Shooting was expected to begin early next year and the film to be released in the summer.

—AFP