BOLLYWOOD star Shilpa Shetty was today swept up in fresh controversy when angry mobs burned effigies of Richard Gere after he planted a smacker on her cheek.

The pair were at an awareness event in New Delhi to highlight HIV/AIDS among truck drivers on Sunday.

In front of a cheering crowd, Gere kissed the giggling Shetty on the hand.

He then kissed her on both cheeks before bending her in a full embrace to smooch her cheek again.

Photographs of the shocking event – sex and public displays of affection are largely taboo in India – were splashed across the country’s front pages.