Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan says he was grilled for two hours at an airport in Newark, N.J., because his name came up on a computer list. Indian fans protested the treatment of their favourite actor. (Gautam Singh/Associated Press)

Fuming Indian fans of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan burned American flags in protest on Sunday after learning their favourite actor was held for questioning at an airport in Newark, N.J.

Demonstrators in the northern city of Allahabad chanted anti-U.S. slogans and burned an American flag. There was a smaller protest in New Delhi as fans shouted in support of the actor.

The star, known by his millions of fans around the world as "King Khan," was detained late Friday and questioned. The 44-year-old actor has appeared in more than 70 films

According to Khan, his name came up on a computer list. The performer says he was asked why he was in the U.S., to which he told the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials that he was a movie actor.

Demonstrators burn the American flag during a protest in Allahabad, India, on Sunday. (Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press)

Khan is promoting his latest film, My Name is Khan, which is about racial profiling of Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Times of India reported the actor, who says he was also frisked, was "angry and humiliated" by his treatment.

Since then, he has retreated from the statement, saying on Sunday: "I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure."

U.S. Customs also released statements saying the actor was never officially detained but was sent to a separate room for a secondary check.

Initial reports said Khan was held for two hours but customs officials say he was held for little more than an hour and was forced to wait longer because the airline had lost his luggage. They also contend it was a routine check and not because he was Muslim.

"[We strive] to treat all travellers with respect and in a professional manner, while maintaining the focus of our mission to protect all citizens and visitors to the U.S.," said a statement released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The incident sparked an angry response from some Indian politicians.

Federal Information Minister Ambika Soni suggested Indian airport officials should start adopting a policy of frisking all Americans.