3Richard Gere-Shilpa Shetty Controversy Shilpa-Richard Kiss Case: Richard Gere is a famous Hollywood actor. He is known for films like ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and ‘Chicago’. He has long played an important role in campaigns related to social and humanitarian issues, especially HIV/AIDS awareness. Let us tell you that in India too, he has been a supporter of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and associated with AIDS awareness campaigns.
What happened to Shilpa Shetty?
In 2007, Richard Gere and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty attended an AIDS awareness program. This program was organized to spread awareness among people about HIV/AIDS. During the program, Gere hugged Shilpa and kissed her several times on the cheek. This incident was recorded in cameras. Whose video went viral like wildfire on social media. After which the case of Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty gained momentum and there was a lot of resentment against both of them in the entire country. Effigies of Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere were burnt at many places.
The matter reached the court
After the controversy escalated, obscenity related cases were registered against both the stars. In April 2007, a Jaipur court also issued an arrest warrant against Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty. However, the matter did not end here. The arrest warrant issued against Richard Gere was later removed by the Supreme Court. At the same time, the case against Shilpa Shetty continued for many years.
When did Shilpa Shetty get relief?
After about 15 years, in January 2022, a Mumbai court granted relief to Shilpa Shetty from the case. The court held that the complaint lacked evidence of a crime against Shilpa and considered her a victim of Gere’s conduct. The court also clarified that Shilpa did not kiss Gere, but she was kissed.