Richard Gere, the "Pretty Woman" star, is one of Hollywood's most famous leading men and was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1999. So a kiss from him would be a good thing in most countries. But in India, it ignited an international controversy and set off protests in several cities.
On the receiving end of that infamous kiss was Shilpa Shetty, who is no stranger to controversy. A well-known Bollywood actress, Shetty was embroiled in a racism controversy when she was a contestant in the latest version of the British "Big Brother" reality TV show. Shetty, who was said to be the victim of racist bullying, went on to win the contest.
It all started at an event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, April 15, 2007. The program was organized by Truckers Corporation of India Foundation and the HIV-AIDS advocacy organization Heroes Project. It was intended to help create awareness of unsafe sexual practices in the truckers' community and to curb the spread of HIV-AIDS. Photographers were there to capture the moment.
Here, the two are joking as Gere prepares to hug Shetty during and event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, April 15, 2007.
In the best Hollywood tradition, Gere practically sweeps Shetty off her feet in an embrace during an event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, April 15, 2007.
A close-up of the kiss Gere gave Shetty while the two were taking part in an HIV-AIDS awareness program in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Pictures like this appeared in newspapers across India and set off a controversy.
Gere kisses the hand of Shetty as he greets the audience with a traditional Indian greeting of folded hands during and event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 15, 2007. "This is a bit too much," a giggling Shetty said after the embrace. She was right. In India, even in the movies, public displays of affection are largely taboo.
Members of the right-wing Hindu nationalist group beat burning effigies of Gere with sticks and set fire to glamorous shots of Shetty in Mumbai and other cities. A humanitarian, Gere has been a tireless volunteer in the fight against AIDS, working in several countries, including India, where he was photographed at the dedication of the Naz AIDS Care Home in New Delhi, Dec. 18, 2002.
Shetty, seen here during a tour of the Houses of Parliament on Feb. 7, 2007 in London, starred in 2004's "Phir Milenge," which the U.N. lauded for its support of AIDS awareness. An AIDS activists and PETA supporter, Shetty reportedly donated all the money she made from "Phir Milenge" to AIDS charity.
Shilpa Shetty, front second right, performs rituals inside a temple during her visit to Mangalore, India, Friday, April 27, 2007. A Jaipur court has issued arrest warrants for violating obscenity laws against Shetty and Richard Gere for the public kiss Gere gave to Shetty at an AIDS awareness event.
Richard Gere, photographed at the April 1, 2007, premiere of his movie "The Hoax," publicly apologized for any offense in a statement issued April 27, 2007, by the Heroes Project, an organization the actor co-founded to combat AIDS in India.