Richard Gere's kiss sets nation on fire

"I understand people's sentiments, but I don't want a foreigner to take bad memories from here," she said, adding, "It was done in good humour. We are actors, entertainers and I think Richard was only trying to entertain the audience."

Condemning the burning of effigies, the actress said that the people "over-reacted." "This is his culture, not ours. I understand this. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to over react in such a manner. His effigies are being burnt!" she said.

Defending Gere's "impromptu act," Shetty said instead of asking him to apologise "we should be thankful to him for doing so much for the cause."

Expressing her anguish over the media's handling of the issue, she said, "I want to know from the media and people giving reactions What have they done for the cause?"

"We took out time and put money, and people are going against us, they want us to apologise. For what should we apologise, we have talked about a pertinent issue like AIDS," she said.

However, the gentleman that he is, Gere had called and apologized to her and "the Indian media and people if he has offended their sensibilities," Shetty said. "I don't think we have done anything wrong. People forget the work Richard Gere has done for AIDS in India... For whatever did on stage, remember he is a foreigner and one shouldn't expect him to behave like an Indian. I am not trying to defend him, but am only standing for the right... I don't want the Indian media and Indians to look foolish to the outside world."