Richard Gere Can Now Safely Return To India

March 14, 2008 11:03 a.m. EST

New Delhi, India (CNS) - Actor Richard Gere, who was wanted in India for allegedly breaking public obscenity laws when he kissed a Bollywood actress on the cheek, can now return to India. The arrest warrant out on Gere, as a result of the kiss, has been suspended and the actor can now enter the country without fear of being arrested.

Gere embraced and kissed actress Shilpa Shetty on her cheek at a public AIDS awareness event in New Dalhi on April 15 of last year. This prompted Hindu hard-liners to say the pair had offended the sensibilities of India's traditionally conservative culture.

The allegations of obscenity against the two actors failed to stir any outrage among Indians, however, most of whom seemed indifferent.

Gere, 58, well-known for his roles in "Pretty Woman," "Chicago" and "An Officer and a Gentleman," is a frequent visitor to India. He travels there to promote health issues and the cause of Tibetan exiles, tens of thousands of whom live in India.