April 28, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1428

NEW DELHI: Hollywood star Richard Gere, ordered arrested by an Indian court for kissing Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, offered on Friday a “sincere apology” for any offence he caused.

His statement came a day after the court issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly “obscene” behaviour for embracing Shetty and planting several kisses on her cheeks during an AIDS awareness event earlier this month.

“What is most important to me is that my intentions as an HIV/AIDS advocate be made clear and my friends in India understand it has never been nor could it ever be, my intention to offend you,” said Gere in the statement to the Indian media.“If that has happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a sincere apology,” said the actor, who is back in the United States.

In the statement addressed to “My dear Indian friends,” Gere said “to be honest, this recent media storm has taken me by surprise.”

The warrant for Gere and a summons for Shetty were issued in the Rajasthan state capital of Jaipur following a complaint by a lawyer who accused the actor of “an obscene act” which carries a penalty of three months imprisonment, a fine or both.” Gere added he was sorry Shetty had been embroiled in the “media circus,” praising her as “a wonderful woman who deserves high praise and support for her singular leadership against HIV/AIDS.”

“I assure you, I have utmost respect for her, and she knows this. Of course, I've felt terrible that she should carry a burden that is no fault of hers. The burden is mine and no one else's,” he said. Describing the way he kissed Shetty, Gere said the step was a copy from his movie “Shall We Dance”.—AFP