Fans of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty have expressed their ire over Hollywood actor Richard Gere kissing her at public event to promote safe sex and AIDS awareness.

The fans said that in a conservative society like India, such a public display of affection was tantamount to vulgarity.

“Richard Gere has kissed Shilpa Shetty in New Delhi during an AIDS awareness campaign. It is vulgar. These things may happen in foreign countries, but not in India. He should apologise to Shilpa and the rest of the country as well,” said Mahesh, a fan.

Gere’s impromptu hug and kiss on Sunday provided a field day for the media, which was largely starved of news of the sensational variety.

The event was organised to reach out to hundreds of truckers aimed at highlighting the importance of safe sex.

Truckers cheered wildly as Gere kissed Shetty during the event.

Bollywood star Sunny was also present on the occasion.