But Kelly is cool about it. "To begin with I did for aunt Gawa, Danny Denzongpa's wife. She's my father's cousin. But I'd have attended anyway. It was to pray for world peace.
I fully and strongly support the Tibetan issue, though I am not a political person. I believe Tibet has been raped for 50 years. I've many relatives in captivity.
When some Tibetans decided to not participate in the Olympics the media suddenly woke up to the issue. Why? The Tibetan issue has nothing to do with the Olympics. Why are we mixing the two issues? The Olympics will happen regardless of Tibet."
Kelly doesn't believe Aamir and Saif should stay away from the Olympics.
"Hey, it's a personal choice. If they want to be part of it they should. I wouldn't hold it against them for one minute. Even the Chinese people...we should hold no grudges against them. They're such lovely people.
But the hangover from Communism lingers. I've heard all the recent protestors are going to be executed on 1 May. China thrives on public executions of protestors to make an example of them. Before they protest too loud, kill them."
The actor who travels by autorickshaw and leads a very normal life, says he's upset with world apathy. "I'm not against Chinese people. I'm against the selfcentred attitude of the world.
Fifty years ago no one cared about Tibet. They still don't. There's no oil in Tibet. No super-power is going to come to the little country's rescue. Everyone is so busy making politically correct statements you wonder how your words are going to be interpreted.
Even now as I speak I wonder how my words are going to be perceived. But I'm not a politician. I'm a humanbeing and a good one brought up with the right values. My grandmother is Tibetans and I've a lot of relatives in Tibet. They're greatly frightened by what's happening to the country.
I've never been to Tibet. I'd love to.I'm not in favour of any form of government. But I favour the middlepath because I'm a Buddhist. And that's exactly what the Dalai Lama is advocating.
The lovely thing about attending the peace rally in Mumbai last week is that there were people of all nationalities. Through prayer and perseverance something good is bound to happen in Tibet.
I may have a voice. But whether it's Richard Gere or me supporting the Tibetan cause I feel every voice counts.Tibet isn't asking for complete iindependence from China. All they want is autonomy, the right to run their own country. Tibet is a non-belligerent nation. They're a fine example of a peace-loving people being bullied into a corner."