9/11 attack: When Indian star Suniel Shetty was rescued by a Pakistani man

Suniel Shetty recalled how a Pakistani hotel manager saved him from a terrifying misunderstanding post-9/11.

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Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty recently revealed an incident from his past, describing it as one of the most challenging moments of his life. Surprisingly, a Pakistani citizen played a crucial role in saving him from a potentially dangerous situation.

According to Shetty, this incident occurred in 2001, in the tense aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. At the time, he was in Los Angeles, filming for the movie Kaante.

In a recent interview, Shetty recalled how a simple misunderstanding escalated into a serious situation, and how a Pakistani-origin hotel manager helped him get out of it.

Shetty recounted that a few days after the 9/11 attacks, when filming resumed, he was returning to his hotel. Upon entering the elevator, he realised he had forgotten his room keys. He turned to an American man in the elevator and asked, “Do you have a key? I forgot mine.”

However, the man misinterpreted Shetty’s request and, panicked, rushed out of the elevator to inform the police.

Within minutes, armed police officers surrounded Shetty, forcing him to kneel and handcuffing him. The Bollywood star was in complete shock and fear, unable to understand what was happening.

A Pakistani hero’s timely intervention

Shetty was a well-known Indian actor and posed no threat. Thanks to his timely clarification, the police released Shetty. Given the reputation of US police and their often brutal treatment of minority communities, this was certainly a close call.

Reflecting on the incident, Shetty said,

“It was an unbelievable experience. There was chaos all around, and I had no idea what would happen next. But without the hotel manager’s help, I might not have gotten out of that situation so easily.”

Shetty expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani manager, emphasizing how this experience reinforced his belief that humanity transcends borders.

This revelation highlights an inspiring story of kindness and understanding amid one of the most tense periods in recent history.