British actor Adeel Akhtar has described a distressing incident in which he was detained and interrogated for several hours by US authorities on suspicion of terrorism links upon arriving in New York.
The Airport Ordeal
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, the London-born star recounted the events of 2002. Akhtar, who was travelling to an audition with his girlfriend, said his passport was taken from him just before boarding his flight in the UK, with assurances it would be returned at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
"Once we landed at JFK, the plane taxied to a secluded part of the runway," Akhtar told host Lauren Laverne. "I saw a convoy of cars approach. These men came onto the plane and said they were going to handcuff me for their protection."
Hours of Questioning
He was then taken into the airport for an interrogation that lasted four to five hours. Akhtar stated the questioning was not continuous but involved extensive periods of waiting, which he found particularly unsettling.
"They were asking if I had any affiliations to terrorist organisations and whether I was a practising Muslim or not," he said. "This was during the time of Guantanamo and things like that. I was aware of what they were trying to get at."
The actor, known for his roles in Four Lions and The Night Manager, said he remained calm. "I held my nerve and just answered the questions as honestly as I could, and then got out of there." Despite the shock, he proceeded to attend his audition afterwards.
Lasting Impact and Family Fallout
The incident had profound repercussions, particularly for his father. Akhtar revealed his father, a man with a strong belief in justice, attempted to sue the FBI over the treatment, but was unsuccessful.
"I saw this really proud man not believe in what he believed in for years and years," Akhtar said emotionally. "His expression of love was to protect me and do the right thing, and he was unable to do either."
He described seeing his father become "emotionally withdrawn" and "slightly beaten" by the experience, highlighting the personal toll such security procedures can exact on families.
Adeel Akhtar, who won BAFTA awards for Murdered By My Father and Sherwood, shared this personal story as part of his appearance on Desert Island Discs, which aired on Sunday 18 January.
