Shilpa herself said that the embrace was "a bit too much," though she urged the public not to overreact because the Pretty Woman star was from a culture where such displays of affection are not taboo.

Last week, crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of the 57-year-old.

The judge issued the charges after a local citizen filed a complaint saying the incident offended local sensibilities. He lambasted Shilpa for not resisting the kisses and ordered her to appear in his court on May 5, Press Trust of India said.

Another senior legal expert, Dushyant Dave, told the Times of India: "This is only for cheap publicity and the magistrate and lawyer should be restrained."

Arrest warrants for Shilpa and Gere - April 26 2007
An Indian court has issued arrest warrants for Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty for kissing at a public function, according to media reports.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Gupta issued the warrants in the north-western city of Jaipur after a local citizen filed a complaint, the Press Trust of India reported.

Such cases against celebrities - often filed by publicity seekers - are common in conservative India, and add to a backlog of legal cases in the country that has nearly crippled the judicial system.

Last week, crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of the actor after he wrapped the Bollywood star in his arms and kissed her several times on her cheeks during an Aids awareness event in the country’s capital.

Photographs of the 57-year-old embracing the Celebrity Big Brother winner and kissing her on the cheek were splashed across front pages of newspapers last week in India - where public displays of affection are largely taboo.

Shilpa ’definitely not’ going Down Under - April 23 2007
Shilpa Shetty is "definitely not" going into the Australian Big Brother house, says her spokesperson.

The Bollywood beauty was reportedly set to enter the reality TV house on the Gold Coast next month, to "liven up" the proceedings.

But her rep has denied the story, saying: "These reports are untrue. I spoke to her yesterday."

The 31-year-old will be back on our screens soon, appearing in a new film, called My Life In... Metro. The flick sees her star as a bored housewife who embarks on an illicit friendship.

Set in Mumbai, the tale focuses on a string of characters - Shilpa’s story is played out alongside that of a 30-year-old virgin who tries to find love through dating websites, a young man who tries to forge his way in the business world and a husband who cheats on his wife.

It will be released in the UK on May 11 and Shilpa is set to attend the world premiere in London’s Leicester Square on May 8.

Lawyers complain about Gere and Shilpa - April 18 2007
Three Indian lawyers have filed complaints in court against Hollywood actor Richard Gere and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty for kissing in public, a news report has said.

The complaints were filed a day after angry crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of Richard Gere after he took Celebrity Big Brother winner Shetty into his arms and kissed her several times on the cheeks.

It took place during an Aids awareness event in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

Shilpa has defended the actor. She told GMTV presenter Penny Smith: "I think too much has been made out of something that was really quite unimportant.

"He was trying to strike his dance pose from Shall We Dance, his previous movie, and he kind of, you know, just bent over me and he kissed me on the cheeks - I mean, that was it!"