Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently shared a hilarious yet tense moment when his wife Kirron Kher’s witty remark almost landed him in serious trouble at a US airport.
A Post-9/11 Travel Scare
The incident dates back to a time when Anupam and Kirron Kher were touring the United States with their play, shortly after the tragic 9/11 attacks. This meant airport security was extremely heightened, making any unusual item a cause for major concern.
Anupam recalled packing a common Indian household item – dhoop, a type of incense stick – in his shaving kit. He completely forgot about it, an oversight that would soon lead to a nerve-wracking encounter at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The Incense Mix-Up
As Anupam went through security, officers opened his bag and discovered the dhoop. Mistaking the unfamiliar item for a suspicious substance, possibly drugs, they began inspecting it intensely, even smelling it. The situation quickly escalated.
“Step aside, hands up please!” he was told as officers looked increasingly suspicious. He genuinely had no idea what they were referring to.
Kirron Kher’s Unhelpful Quip
At this critical moment, Kirron Kher, who had already cleared security, called out, “What is this?” Her sharp tone made the security personnel look at the couple as if they were a notorious duo. Guns were even pointed at Anupam, making him fear for his life.
To make matters worse, Kirron added fuel to the fire with her quick wit. “Are you roaming around with hashish?” she quipped in Hindi. Anupam, in his panic, thought, “If I survive these people, I’ll come out and divorce you!”
The Mispronunciation and Timely Intervention
Trying to explain, Anupam asked to see the item. He then attempted to clarify to the officers that it was something burned in homes. In his nervousness, he comically mispronounced “incense” as “incest,” further confusing the situation.
Fortunately, a Bangladeshi staff member at the airport recognized the dhoop. He intervened, explaining to the security personnel that it was an item used in prayers and for religious purposes. This cleared up the misunderstanding just in time, even as Kirron continued to playfully scold Anupam from afar.
- Anupam Kher’s airport scare stemmed from innocent dhoop (incense) mistaken for drugs.
- The incident occurred during a period of heightened security post-9/11.
- Kirron Kher’s humorous remarks initially worsened the tense situation.
- A cultural understanding from an airport staff member helped resolve the misunderstanding.
Despite the memorable scare, Anupam and Kirron Kher have been married for 40 years, proving their bond is stronger than any airport security check.
