/> Shilpa Shetty feels celebrity-harassment in this country is touching an all-time high.

She and her mom were detained not just while leaving for the IIFA held in Yorkshire but also on her return to Mumbai from the event.

"It was so bizarre," she exclaims. "It would've been perfectly understandable to see the immigration officers doing their jobs well. And I'd be the last person to come in the way of authorities doing their duties. But we patiently showed the clearance papers while leaving. And still we were questioned when I returned!"

Getting a wee upset Shilpa questions, "How does it feel to be treated so suspiciously in your home after being treated like a queen at an event in a distant foreign country? I guess I am no stranger to being given a raw deal at home. But still it hurts."

She smiles bravely, drawing attention to the fact that Bollywood never really gave her her dues.

In fact when she was honoured at IIFA with a special award for her achievements, Shilpa said it was the first award she had ever received. "It is true! So many of my supposedly good performances like Dhadkan and Phir Milenge got no recognition. But I'm not complaining. Today I'm making up for lost time."

Over pleasurable chuckles you remind her that at IFFA she stole the thunder from all other Bollywood icons who supposedly had an international appeal, and not just stage but also on the red carpet. Shilpa, say IFFA attenders, was mobbed the most.

"What can I say?" Shilpa laughs. "IFFA was just so unreal. As for me stealing the thunder, come on... about time I had my share of the thunder, no?"

As for being harassed back home she shrugs, "What can I do? Whether it's an innocuous costume or an innocent kiss I'm being hauled up all the time.

Please arrest me and put me into jail if you genuinely believe I'm guilty of any offence. But I can't be walking out of the country each time with a piece of paper in my shivering hands to prove I'm as free to travel as thousands of others on the airport."