Richard Gere

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

What was the Accusation?

Hollwood actor Richard Gere (Officer and a Gentlemen, Pretty Woman) faced heavy criticism from the Indian government and the Indian people after affectionately embracing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on stage at an HIV/AIDS awareness event.  Gere, in an apparent attempt to parody a scene from his film Shall We Dance, grabbed Shetty around the waste, dipped her toward the floor of the stage and kissed her on the face and neck.  Indian newspapers carried images of Gere hugging and kissing Shetty on the cheek at an AIDS awareness event, while TV reports repeatedly aired footage of the embrace. Crowds in several cities subsequently burned effigies of Gere and Shetty in protest and criticized the two for public obscenity. An Indian court judge issued a warrant for Gere’s arrest, arguing that the kiss was highly sexually erotic and “transgressed all limits of vulgarity.” Gere, in response, would release a formal statement of apology in which he claimed it was never his intention to offend.  However, some of his other statements expressed hostility toward the media for turning the mistake into a “circus.”

Apologia Strategies:

Good Intentions, Mortification, Attacking the Accuser

Video

Transcript

Formal Statement to the Press:

What is most important to me is that my intentions as an HIV/AIDS advocate be made clear, and that my friends in India understand that it has never been, nor could it ever be, my intention to offend you. If that has happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a sincere apology.”

On The Daily Show:

There is a very small, right-wing, very conservative political party in India, and they are the moral police in India and they do this kind of thing quite often. I don’t know that anyone has actually gone to jail, it has to go through a process. It goes to a reputable court, and they throw it out,”

Letter to the Indian People:

“…to be honest, this recent media storm has taken me by surprise.”

“What we thought was a very successful HIV/AIDS event has taken a sad turn. The evening and event in question was intended to celebrate courageous people and partnerships in the supremely important fight against HIV/AIDS, a worldwide pandemic which has afflicted over 5 million Indians and is still increasing.”

“Shilpa Shetty is a courageous and 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.”

“What is most important to me is that my intentions as an HIV/AIDS advocate be made clear and that my friends in India understand that it has never been nor could it ever be my intention to offend you. If that had happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a sincere apology.”

“I would hope that the media could now end the circus around this episode and dedicate its positive resources and expertise to the eradication of HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases. That’s what’s really important here. My prayers are with you. My clumsy attempt at a Shall We Dance move was a naive misread of Indian customs and I assure you nothing more.”

Sources

Gere apologizes in kissing controversy (2007, April 27). CBS News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gere-apologizes-in-kissing-controversy/

Gere apologises for kissing Shilpa Shetty (2007, April 27). The Times of India. Retrieved from: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gere-apologises-for-kissing-Shilpa-Shetty/articleshow/1966310.cms

Gere apologizes for controversial Bollywood kiss (2007, April 27). CBC News. Retrieved from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/gere-apologizes-for-controversial-bollywood-kiss-1.650002

Gere says “end the circus” over public kiss (2007, April 26). Reuters. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-gere-idUSDEL8320820070427

Indian court issues warrant for Gere over kiss: Public display at AIDS event transgressed all limits of vulgarity judge says (2007, April 26). Today Show. Retrieved from: https://www.today.com/id/18328425/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/indian-court-issues-warrant-gere-over-kiss/

Silverman, S. M. (2007, April 27).  Richard Gere apologizes for kissing Bollywood star. People. Retrieved from: http://people.com/celebrity/richard-gere-apologizes-for-kissing-bollywood-star/