Indian actor Rajpal Yadav has apologised to his followers and a journalist for snatching his phone over Diwali firecracker question during a recent interview.

“If anyone has been hurt by the video I posted, I deeply apologize. Let’s make sure we celebrate Diwali with joy and safety,” he said in a video posted to Instagram.

Yadav also took to the caption of his post to further clarify his intentions, emphasising, “I sincerely apologise. My goal was never to undermine the happiness of Diwali. Let’s come together and make this festival a special occasion for all.”

The apology comes after his previous video sparked reactions on social media, with some viewers feeling that it conflicted with the spirit of the festival.

The Dhol actor found himself in hot water after he grabbed a journalist’s phone in response to a question about firecrackers during Diwali.

Yadav is making a comeback to entertain fans with his role as Chhota Pandit in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, earning accolades from cinema lovers for his performance.

In a video, the actor urged his fans to avoid bursting firecrackers due to their harmful effects on air and noise pollution. This prompted a backlash, leading him to delete the original video and later issue an apology in a follow-up post.

The situation intensified when a journalist from a well-known Hindi publication accused Yadav of seizing their camera during an interview. The reporter alleged that Yadav attempted to throw their phone when asked about his comments on the Diwali issue.

In the footage, Yadav is seen surrounded by a crowd when a reporter inquires about his upcoming projects. Yadav replies, “You can expect to see one film every one and a half months.” As the reporter brings up his earlier comments on Diwali, Yadav covers the camera with his hand before the question is fully asked.