Gere sorry, wants end to ‘circus’ around kissing episode

Hollywood star Richard Gere today offered to apologise if he has “offended” anyone by kissing actress Shilpa Shetty during an HIV/AIDS awareness event that threatens to drag both to a Jaipur court.

Hollywood star Richard Gere today offered to apologise if he has “offended” anyone by kissing actress Shilpa Shetty during an HIV/AIDS awareness event that threatens to drag both to a Jaipur court.

“My friends in India understand that it has never been…my intention to offend you. If that had happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a sincere apology,” he said in a statement titled “My dear Indian friends”.

Gere, 56, said this recent media storm over the kissing has “taken me by surprise”, and wants an end to the “circus around this episode”.

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The actor, who is a Buddhist and often comes to India for charity work, said he felt sorry that Shilpa had to carry the burden following the controversy for no fault of hers.

“Shilpa Shetty is a courageous and wonderful woman who deserves high praise and support for her singular leadership against HIV/AIDS,” he said.

Describing the way he kissed Shetty, he said the step was a copy from one of his movies. “My clumsy attempt at a Shall We Dance move was a naive misread of Indian customs and I assure you nothing more,” the statement said.