Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh recently shared a startling experience from his trip to the U.S., where he was detained at a New York airport and questioned about his nationality. Despite holding an Indian passport, immigration officers refused to believe that he was truly Indian.

The Incident During Filming Of New York (2009)

Neil revealed this bizarre incident took place while he was filming New York (2009), a film centered around post-9/11 racial profiling. Reflecting on the situation, Neil shared with Mashable India, “I was detained at the airport. They refused to believe that I had an Indian passport and that I was Indian. They didn’t even let me answer or say anything for myself.”

What started as a routine check quickly escalated into an exasperating four-hour ordeal. Immigration officials kept questioning Neil without giving him a chance to explain his identity.

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After hours of questioning, Neil found a way to de-escalate the situation. “After four hours, they came and asked, ‘What do you have to say?’ and I simply said, ‘Just Google me.’” His reply seemed to catch the officers off guard. Realizing their mistake, they quickly shifted their tone, moving from interrogation to curiosity. “They started asking me about my grandfather, my father, and my family’s legacy,” Neil added.

A Legacy In Indian Cinema

Coming from a prestigious lineage in the Indian film industry, Neil is the grandson of legendary playback singer Mukesh and the son of renowned singer Nitin Mukesh. His response not only cleared up the confusion but also led to a more friendly conversation about his illustrious family background.

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On the work front, Neil Nitin Mukesh is currently seen in the satirical action comedy Hisaab Barabar, directed by Ashwni Dhir. The film, now streaming on ZEE5, follows a railway ticket checker who uncovers corruption in minor bank transactions. Neil’s diverse career includes notable performances in Johnny Gaddaar (2007), New York (2009), Lafangey Parindey (2010), David (2013), and Saaho (2019). Although hailing from a musical family, Neil chose acting as his path in the entertainment industry, making his debut as a child artist in Vijay (1988).