The legal ordeal that followed a passionate outburst involving actor Richard Gere and Indian actress Shilpa Shetty has finally come to a close after 15 years.
What was meant to be a charitable event to raise awareness about HIV turned into a prolonged nightmare when Gere unexpectedly kissed Shetty in public, leading to a lawsuit by radical groups in India against both artists.
Amidst the enthusiasm of achieving their fundraising goal and with the presence of international icon Richard Gere, Shilpa Shetty expressed her gratitude for their joint efforts in supporting the cause. As she concluded her speech, Gere, prompted by the moment's euphoria, kissed her hand, initially met with smiles and cheers from the audience and those on stage.
However, what began as a seemingly innocent gesture quickly escalated. In a surge of excitement, Gere approached Shetty and kissed her on both cheeks amid the cheers of donors and fans. Following the kiss, he embraced her tightly, which marked the end of the moment of appreciation for Shetty. She reciprocated with a hug amidst her exaltation. But as she attempted to disengage, Gere continued to hold her by the neck and waist, persistently kissing her cheek until he finally released her.
Shetty struggled to maintain her composure in public, but her reaction didn't go unnoticed. The audience erupted in whistles and laughter, finding the situation absurd. Recognizing the crowd's reaction, Gere eventually let her go and bowed on stage, while Shetty carried on with the event as if nothing had occurred.
In the days that followed, this incident turned into a nightmare, especially for Shetty, who faced harsh societal criticism. The radical Hindu groups in India protested against the kiss, setting fires in public squares with images of the kiss and demanding the actors' heads for allegedly defying Hindu cultural values.
Subsequently, allegations of "obscenity and indecency" emerged, leading to a court in India issuing arrest warrants for both Shetty and Gere. The charges against Gere were eventually dropped through his defense, but Shetty's case remained open, leading to a prolonged legal battle.
It was only last week that a Mumbai court deemed the allegations against Shetty "baseless" and acquitted her of all accusations made against her 15 years ago. The court's records stated that "Shilpa Shetty was a victim of the alleged exuberance by accused No. 1 (Richard Gere), who kissed her repeatedly while on stage." Shetty's lawyer argued that her lack of protest during the kiss did not make her a conspirator or author of any crime. She also defended Gere against the charges, attributing the incidents to the "lunatic fringe" of India.
In 2002, Richard Gere inaugurated a home created by the Naz Foundation Trust for women and children suffering from AIDS in India. This humanitarian work and his efforts to raise awareness about HIV made him an advocate for the cause. He worked towards reducing the number of HIV cases in India, a country that ranked second worldwide in HIV infections. His actions and support strengthened his ties with India and garnered support for the Tibetan government in exile, bolstering his reputation as a global advocate for humanitarian causes.
Given his extensive work in India and his prominence as a prominent Buddhist figure, it is widely believed that the charges against Gere were dropped, enabling him to return to the country and meet with the Dalai Lama at a later date. Following the scandal, Gere issued an apology to Shetty and Indian society for his "exuberance" and for unintentionally disrespecting their customs and culture.
