The government has reacted sharply to detention of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at a US airport, saying many such incidents have taken place in that country and suggested a tit for tat.

"I am of the opinion that the way we are frisked, for example I too was frisked, we should also do the same to them," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said.

She said many examples like this have come from the United States where frisking is done and "beyond permissible limits".

Khan was detained by US Immigration officers, who wanted to know why he was visiting the country. Commenting on the incident, Khan said that he was detained as his name was similar to someone else.

"I don't understand in the name of religion, frisking can be done for anyone like this," an angry Soni said.