Mammooty

New York: Mammooty, the super star of Malayalam cinema, was briefly "separated for questioning" by security officials at the JFK International Airport here afterpart of his official name 'Muhammadkutty Ismail' popped up onthe computer screen at the immigration counter.

Mammooty (56), whose full name is Muhammadkutty Ismail Paniparambil', was separated for questioning for more than two hours on April 29 after he arrived here by a British Airways flight, sources said.

He was allowed to leave the airport after the Indian consulate contacted authorities concerned and explained that he was a popular actor in southern India and has visited the US many times in the past, consulate sources said.

"There was no formal intervention by the mission," the sources said, adding that the consulate was informed about the incident by the local Malayalee Association members, who had gone to receive the actor.

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The superstar of Malayalam cinema, who has acted in more than 300 films in Malayalam and Tamil, was taken to a separate room and was briefly questioned on his purpose ofvisit to the US and other details.

According to sources close to the actor, JFK airport security officials said they took him separately as they "hadinstructions to check the details of all those passengers withthe name -- Muhammad Ismail."

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