Siddharth's tweet, made on January 6 as a reply to Saina Nehwal's tweet, didn't sit down well with the badminton champion, her family members and netizens. Slamming the actor's sexist response, Twitteratis lashed at him for demeaning the Padma Bhushan recipient. After facing heat for his tweet, Siddharth issued an apology to Saina. He shared his statement on Twitter. 

Siddharth wrote, "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."

Recommended Read: Badminton champion Saina Nehwal reacts to Siddharth's 'sexist' tweet, says 'I used to like him as an actor but this was not nice'

The Rang De Basanti actor 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 there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman. I hope we can put this behind us and that you will accept my letter. You will always be my Champion. Honestly, Siddharth."

Dear @NSaina pic.twitter.com/plkqxVKVxY

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 11, 2022

On January 6, Siddharth replied to Saina's tweet about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach. The tweet read, "No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised. I condemn, in the strongest words possible, the cowardly attack on PM Modi by anarchists." Siddharth reacted and tweeted, "Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna"

When netizens took notice of the tweets, they trolled Siddharth for his sexist approach. Soon, he issued a clarification. He wrote, ""COCK & BULL" That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading! Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period."

Reacting to Siddharth's tweet, Saina told in an interview, "Ya I’m not sure what he meant. I used to like him as an actor but this was not nice. He can express himself with better words but I guess it’s Twitter and you remain noticed with such words and comments."

(Source: Twitter)