Will Smith smiled when he was seen for the first time since the Oscars

Will Smith has been spotted for the first time since the infamous Slapgate scandal.

The attacked actor was pictured touching at a private airport in Mumbai, India on Saturday, where he was greeted by adoring fans.

Smith is reportedly in India to meet the spiritual leader Sadhguru, whom he and his family met in 2020 in Los Angeles.

The 53-year-old stopped to wave to fans and posed for photos and selfies while smiling while staff loaded his luggage off his vehicle.

It’s the first time Smith has been seen in public nearly a month after beating comedian Chris Rock to the Oscars after making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.

FILE - Will Smith, right, hits presenter Chris Rock on stage as he presents the award for best documentary at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.  The incident on Sunday has sparked debate over the appropriate ways for black men to publicly defend black women against humiliation and abuse.  (AP Photo / Chris Pizzello, File)
Camera iconWill Smith hits host Chris Rock on stage as he presents the award for best documentary at the Oscars. Credit: Chris Pizzaello/Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP

The Film Academy has since excluded Smith from the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years.

“During our deployment, we did not adequately address the situation in space. We are sad about that,” the academy said.

“This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short – unprepared for the unprecedented.”

Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.  (Photo: Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)
Camera iconWill Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith at the Oscars. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP

Smith’s appearance in India comes when Rock’s mother, Rose Rock, sat down for an interview with the news station WIS-TV.

The author and motivational speaker said she saw the coverage from home and initially thought the incident was staged.

“You responded that your wife gave you the side glance and you went and made her day because she was overwhelmed with laughter when it happened,” Rose said.

“When he hit Chris, he hit us all. He really hit me, ”she said. “Because when you hurt my child, you hurt me.”

Rose went on to say that she is “really, really proud” of the way her son handled the situation and did not feel that Smith’s apology was genuine.

“I feel really bad that he never apologized,” Rose said. “His people wrote a piece and said, ‘I apologize to Chris Rock,’ but that kind of thing is personal. You reach out.”

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