Richard Gere prepares to hug Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty during and event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, 16 Apr 2007

Angry crowds in several Indian cities burned pictures of Hollywood actor Richard Gere and Indian actress Shilpa Shetty after he publicly kissed her hand and cheeks at an AIDS awareness event.

Demonstrators say Gere's kissing of Shetty goes against Indian culture.

Protesters gathered Monday in at least three Indian cities - Mumbai, Varanasi, Meerut - where they chanted "Down with Shilpa Shetty" while burning pictures of the two actors.

Gere and Shetty appeared at a press conference Sunday in New Delhi to promote AIDS awareness among truck drivers in India.

During the conference, Gere kissed Shetty on the hand and repeatedly on the cheeks in front of cheering crowds.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.