Mumbai:
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Travelling light: Shah Rukh Khan; actor Aamir Bashir (inset) | Six Muslim members of Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan unit were denied US visas Several Muslim members of Karan Johar's My Name Is Khan unit have been denied US visas post the terror attacks in Mumbai. The American consulate rejected six applications even though some had travelled to the US before. My Name Is Khan starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol is currently being filmed in Los Angeles. Among those who the US consulate said no to include SRK's personal staff, actor Aamir Bashir and other Muslim members from KJo's production team. It is learnt that the MNIK crew was surprised when they realised that their applications had been rejected and so was Karan, as they were all part of the ensemble cast. Elizabeth Kauffman, spokesperson of the US consulate, says, "As a policy, we don't talk about any specific visa cases." Says a source, "Those who were denied the visa tried to reason that it was only for a film shoot. They proved their bonafides and made it clear that they were actors. The fact that they were part of a unit that had leading B-Town names like KJo and SRK also did not help." Adds a source close to Aamir Bashir, "The US consulate had reservations about a certain country Aamir had visited in the past even though it was explained that it was for work purposes." Meanwhile, the rejected members have submitted fresh applications. They are hoping to be second-time lucky. My Name Is Khan has Shah Rukh play the protagonist Rizvan Khan and the message that runs through the film is in support of humanity which is the way to rise above cultural or religious differences. But ironically, the cast and crew is already a victim of it!
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