South actor Siddharth, who is also known for his performance in Aamir Khan's 2006 hit Rang De Basanti, has been receiving backlash on social media ever since he posted an alleged ‘sexist’ tweet targeting ace badminton player Saina Nehwal. However, he has now issued a public apology for his "rude joke" in response to Nehwal's tweet condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab. 

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In the apology posted on Twitter, the actor has cleared that his intention was not malicious and the controversial tweet was just his "word play and humour". 

Siddharth's apology letter reads, "Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that. As for the joke... If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn't land". 

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He added, "I, however, must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and I assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman". 

He ended the letter with the hope that they can put this behind and added that Saina will always be her champion. Check out his post here: 

Dear @NSaina pic.twitter.com/plkqxVKVxY

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 11, 2022

The Bommarillu star’s apology has been receiving mixed reactions from netizens. While a section of social media users appreciated Siddharth for his public apology, others expressed that it is just a "cover up". Reacting to the actor's post, a user wrote, "Atleast show some courage in accepting the wrong doing. This looks more like a cover up than an apology. An apology should be unconditional. Do you really think you can act smart even now ? Period". 

Another wrote, "This does not look like a genuine apology. You are still adamant to admit that it was a sexist comment targetting women. Just because it has double meanings it does not become correct. Face the legal consequences". "I respect you for this.  It takes a lot of courage and maturity to be able to apologize," reads another tweet. 

Here are a few reactions: 

Atleast show some courage in accepting the wrong doing. This looks more like a cover up than an apology. An apology should be unconditional. Do you really think you can act smart even now ? Period.

— Nilesh Gode (@gode_nilesh) January 11, 2022

Wow that's not even an apology 🙄. He has just put it back on her, telling her that she lacks a sense of humour and how disappointed HE is with her opinion. So full of himself 😬

— 🇮🇱🇮🇳 אלי כהן Murlee (@Covi1979749381) January 12, 2022

This does not look like a genuine apology. You are still adamant to admit that it was a sexist comment targetting women. Just because it has double meanings it does not become correct. Face the legal consequences.

— Indian Citizen (@ibelong2india) January 12, 2022

Instead of this bakwaas , a plain simple SORRY would have aptly represented your intent...But then again, your intent itself is questionable 🤷‍♀️

— Shephalika Gokhale (@shephalikag) January 11, 2022

I don’t understand your anger towards her post. Her post showed concern towards the country’s PM’s security. Why should you be angry or try to make a joke out of it. Shouldn’t you be to equally concerned about his safety ?? If you think Indian, then you sure would be concerned.

— Proudindian (@umamaheshwari56) January 11, 2022

If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin
with.

Same for apology also . If an apology needs to be explained, then it wasn't an apology at all .

If u wanna apologise, do it unconditionally without explanation.

— Ⓜ️🅰️N🅾️ (@rajini_mano) January 12, 2022

Maafi maangne se koi chota nahi ho jata
Kangana tum bhi kuch seekho Siddharth se

— Bharti (@_bharti_0901) January 11, 2022

I just don't get what people want, if an actor apologises to a mistake he is still wrong in people's opinions, and if he doesn't apologise and yet he is still wrong because he didn't apologise. Like what more do you want from a person. Don't turn this into a bigger mess it is.

— simarpreet singh basra (@BasraSimarpreet) January 11, 2022

I respect you for this. It takes a lot of courage and maturity to be able to apologize.

— KS (@kanchisrini) January 11, 2022

Are you satisfied with Siddharth's apology? Let us know in the comment section. 

For the unversed, Siddharth had taken a dig at Nehwal in his controversial tweet (now deleted). He had written, "Subtle cock champion of the world… Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna". 

Since then, he has been at the receiving end with several well-known names criticising him for his choice of words. The National Commission for Women (NCW) too slammed the actor and issued a notice to Twitter India demanding a ban on his account. 

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