Wednesday, November 16 2005 17:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Celebrities including Miss Universe Natalie Glebanova of Russia today (Nov 16, 2005) lent their support to much harassed Tamil actress Kushboo whose remarks on pre-marital sex have caused a furore.

The 35 year-old actress had invited the wrath of several parties in Tamil Nadu following her comments in an interview to a vernacular magazine that there was nothing wrong with pre-marital sex as long as it was practiced safely.

Glebanova, as also Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and tennis sensation Sania Mirza, found there was much ado about nothing in the whole episode.

The trio was in city to speak at 'Hindustan Times Leadership Summit'.

While the Russian beauty queen was puzzled by an alien cultural issue, Karthikeyan was more forthright.

"South India is a closed society. There was nothing wrong in what she (Kushboo) said. It has spiraled into a big issue unfortunately, it is more of a media thing," the first Indian to race in Formula One said.

Glebanova did not make a direct comment on the issue but advocated what Kushboo had said in her interview.

"I had stressed on three main things regarding AIDS awareness (in my speech) one is practicing safe sex," the Russian said.

"Nobody can stop you from having sex, but protect yourself and others," she said.

Sania, the first Indian to win a WTA Tour title, was quick to grasp the sensitivity of the issue.

"So there are two issues here safe sex and sex before marriage," the 19-year old said.

"You don't want me to tell you that you have to have safe sex, whether it is before or after marriage. Everyone must know what he or she is doing," she said.