[James]

Last Updated: Friday, 27 April 2007, 15:54 GMT 16:54 UK

Gere apologises over Shetty kiss

Actor Richard Gere has apologised for causing offence when he kissed Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

The incident, at an AIDS awareness event in Delhi, prompted public protests and then an arrest warrant for both stars over the "obscene act".

Gere, 57, said he had misread Indian customs and that he regretted any problems he had caused Shetty.

He asked for the "media circus" to end and hoped it would not detract from the message of preventing AIDS.

Gere kissed Shetty, 31, several times on the cheek while sweeping her backwards in a tango-style move.

The court in Jaipur in Rajasthan state called it "an obscene act" after a local lawyer filed a complaint.

Gere said: "What is most important to me is that my intentions as an HIV/AIDS advocate be made clear, and that my friends in India understand that it has never been, nor could it ever be, my intention to offend you.

"If that has happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a sincere apology."

Gere had earlier taken a tougher line, saying he expected any charge to be dismissed.

Speaking on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, the actor said the situation as "nothing".

"There is a very small right-wing, very conservative political party in India and they are the moral police in India... they do this kind of thing quite often," he said.

A judge had ordered Shetty to appear in his court on 5 May, saying she did nothing to resist the kiss, which he called "highly sexually erotic".

Gere said Shetty was not to blame for the incident.

"I've felt terrible that she should carry a burden that is no fault of hers," he said.

Buddhist beliefs

Photographs of the clinch were splashed across front pages of newspapers in India.

Public displays of affection are still largely taboo in India, and protestors in Mumbai (Bombay) set fire to effigies of Gere following the incident.

Shetty has defended Gere saying that it was all done "in good humour".

Under Indian law, a person convicted of public obscenity faces up to three months in prison, a fine or both.

Gere, star of films such as Chicago and Pretty Woman, is a Buddhist and travels to India frequently to visit the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in the north of the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6600839.stm

[Cody™]

that good of him to apologise, but theres no reason for him to do so.

this is what the media can do, blow something outa proportion so bad!

he kissed her on the cheek :S that obscenity? {admin edit}

Text speech is not allowed on the forum and nor is defeating the swear word filter - post edited.

Red

[spacebandit]

I agree that is is totally ridiculous.

But

Laws of another country, even if we find them ridiculous are the laws of another country.

In this country it is a long-standing legal principle that ignorance of the law is no defence in law.

We would want our laws enforced, and so even though I think its ridiculous, its the law of the country he was visiting and a guest should obey the rules of the house.

It remains to be seen if his apology is enough, but the ridiculous puritanism on display should, frankly, make people think twice about where they go.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by spacebandit
I agree that is is totally ridiculous.

But

Laws of another country, even if we find them ridiculous are the laws of another country.

In this country it is a long-standing legal principle that ignorance of the law is no defence in law.

We would want our laws enforced, and so even though I think its ridiculous, its the law of the country he was visiting and a guest should obey the rules of the house.

It remains to be seen if his apology is enough, but the ridiculous puritanism on display should, frankly, make people think twice about where they go.

I have certainly read all about this story and certainly feel that Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty didn't deserve this at all.

Most of my views on this whole episode can be found here:- http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/foru....php?tid=58024

2nd from the bottom of that thread.
___________________________________________
Regarding laws and obeying them.

Many people who visit India do not know many of their laws & cultures and religion.

Richard kissed Shilpa and it wasn't thought that it was so bad.

Shilpa certainly didn't have time to stop Richard Gere from kissing her. It all happened so fast and so spontaneously.

How she will or would handle the questioning, would or will be interesting indeed.

If she is standing up for Richard, she will have to be careful of how she put's it. Now Shilpa is in hot water for no real fault of her own.

I think of three other girls names who also fit that bill.



nodisharmony

[mansi]

^she already held a press confrence last week stating how they were all being pathetic over a small issue...and that she will not apologize for no fault of hers as she felt there was nothing wrong in what had happened.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by mansi
^she already held a press confrence last week stating how they were all being pathetic over a small issue...and that she will not apologize for no fault of hers as she felt there was nothing wrong in what had happened.

The problem with Richard & Shilpa is, that they are not above the law in this crime.

They can easily do press-conferances, to try and make this all go away, but it is a legal problem and what happens is up to the police and judges, etc.. in India.

Richard Gere is a visitor to India and is an American citizen.

Shilpa Shetty is an Indian lady and will also have an Indian citizen status.

My views are, this will all get sorted and perhaps a fine or just a caution will follow.

Richard has apologised and if Shilpa chose not to apologise, we can only watch and wait for the final verdict.

My hopes are, that they both walk away from this unscathed and without any problems.

It is a stupid mistake and I know they will both learn from it.


nodisharmony

[Cody™]

yes but the laws of india are so inconsistent. they have regular kisses in their very own films.. and they dont have censorship or film certificates. so why arnt they seen as obscenity cuz indian film are definately more widely watched than some aids campaign.

ahh well.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by krazy1
yes but the laws of india are so inconsistent. they have regular kisses in their very own films.. and they dont have censorship or film certificates. so why arnt they seen as obscenity cuz indian film are definately more widely watched than some aids campaign.

ahh well.

It is a bad situation, Krazy1.

There is much unfairness in law and if we were to debate just British law, we could fill 200 forums worth of debate.

I am glad that kisses in their own films does happen. It helps with Shilpa's and Richard's case hopefully.

If Shilpa has chose not to apologise? Then Shilpa will be very aware of the unfairness in India's law. as she will have a very good solicitor naturally.

Also, I am aware that their films have no certificates on and if you are talking about video-cassettes, many don't even have label's on the video tape either. I have seen a few upclose.

Anyway, I am sure this will just blow away and Shilpa & Richard can get on with their lives.

But this is not a nice thing to happen and will make quite a few people think that if they meet an Indian lady and want to fall in love with her, then they will have to refrain from kissing in a public place, as it could backfire.


nodisharmony