Mumbai: After stirring up a hue and cry by publishing photographs showing actors Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur locked in an intimate kiss, the Mumbai-based tabloid, 'Mid-Day' today (Dec 18, 2004) issued a statement of regret for hurting the sentiments of the actors concerned but stuck to its guns relating to the authenticity of the photographs published.

"Our intention was simply to show two young celebrities in love, unconcerned about their very public display of affection," Aakar Patel, group editor-in-chief, said in a statement published in the front page of the daily.

"The subsequent media storm has raised questions about the morality and decency of the two individuals feature. We never intended for that to happen and regret any anguish Kareena and Shahid may have undergone as a result of this," he said in the statement.

However, it also stuck by its earlier claim that the photographs were not tampered with. "Mid Day stands firmly behind the authenticity of the video footage and our right as a newspaper to carry coverage of public persons."