Shilpa defends Gere

Tell us about the event.

It was a forum for truck drivers at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium in Delhi. Richard met the head of the Truck Drivers Association as truck drivers are the main victims of HIV/Aids.

He explained to them not to indulge in unsafe sex and also why it is important to wear condoms. Truck drivers go on long trips and often indulge in casual and unprotected sex, so they are the most common victims of the disease.

Did you talk to Gere about 'the kiss' after the event?

No. He has already left for Kathmandu (Nepal). After the event got over, we chatted briefly but not about the kiss and it's fallout. He's a wonderful man.

I am not saying this because he's a huge celebrity and has asked me to join his organisation. I know the kind of work he has been doing for HIV/Aids awareness and we don't want it to stop. I have been a part of the Heroes Project for nearly four years.

Has Gere apologised?

I think he will. I spoke to Parmeshwar (Godrej) yesterday and Gere has sent her a note saying he didn't mean to hurt anyone. I feel bad for him. Let's react to more important issues and not blow things out of proportion.

Do you remember the furore that was created when Padmini Kolhapure kissed Prince Charles and Shabana Azmi kissed Nelson Mandela?

Yes, but Richard kissed me on the cheek and not on the lips. Some TV channels are comparing my incident to the Rakhi Sawant-Mika kiss.

It's ridiculous! It's not as if Richard took off my saree pallu or something. The crowd didn't react negatively. They were cheering and excited.

Would you apologise if you were asked to?

Why should I? I haven't done anything wrong.

Did you expect the backlash or did it take you by surprise?

Nothing takes me by surprise any more. It's my humble request to everyone - be responsible. Why are some people hell-bent on making us look foolish? What are we trying to tell people?

We are living in a democracy. Let's not misuse the freedom of expression. In any case, I think most women were jealous of Richard's actions towards me (laughs). It's every woman's dream come true!

How did your parents react to Gere's actions?

They didn't react but they are worried about people burning effigies. In fact, they thought it was being blown out of proportion.

I was shooting yesterday and people constantly badgered me about it. I wouldn't have reacted but I decided to because I don't want anything to come in the way of the cause that we have set out to work for.

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