Actor Adeel Akhtar has opened up about a harrowing experience at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York during 2002, when airport security questioned him for hours over alleged terrorist links.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the Four Lions star described how what should have been a routine trip to an audition quickly turned into a frightening ordeal.
Passport confiscated and a tense arrival
Akhtar recounted that just before boarding his flight, airport officials took his passport, promising it would be returned upon arrival at JFK.
“Once we landed, the plane sort of taxied off into a secluded part of the runway,” he said.
“Then I see this convoy of cars coming through… These fellas come onto the plane, said they were going to handcuff me for their own protection, and took me into the airport to question me.”
Hours of questioning under intense scrutiny
The questioning stretched for four to five hours, Akhtar explained, with a mix of waiting and interrogation.
Authorities asked if he had affiliations with terrorist organisations and about his religious practice.
“This was during the time of Guantanamo and things like that,” he said.
“I just held my nerve and answered the questions as honestly as I could, and then got out of there.”
Shock, resilience, and carrying on
Despite the shock of the incident, Akhtar said he carried on with his audition.
The actor later revealed that his father had attempted, without success, to sue the FBI over what happened.
“My dad has a blind faith in doing good and the rule of law,” Akhtar said.
“I just saw this proud man not believe in what he had believed in for years… if you can’t love your kid the way you should, it makes you kind of emotionally withdrawn.
I saw him slightly beaten at that point.”
A career of acclaimed performances
Akhtar’s career has spanned both comedy and drama.
Best known for his role as Faisal in Four Lions (2010), he has also starred in the BBC television film Murdered By My Father and the crime drama Sherwood, earning BAFTA awards for his performances.
His journey from surviving intense scrutiny to becoming an acclaimed actor highlights both his resilience and dedication to his craft.
What’s next?
Even after facing a terrifying encounter early in his career, Akhtar’s focus on his craft and resilience in the face of adversity have propelled him to the forefront of British acting.
His story remains a powerful reminder of perseverance and the personal challenges that can lie behind professional success.
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