Hours after actor Ajay Devgn posted a reactionary tweet against a comment made by Kiccha Sudeep, the Kannada actor responded on Twitter attributing the misunderstanding to bad translation, assuring Ajay that he did not intend to provoke anyone with his statement. Sudeep had recently said that Hindi is no longer the national language of India, something that did not go down too well with Ajay, who reacted angrily to it.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, quote tweeting Ajay’s original Hindi tweet, Sudeep wrote, Dear Ajay Devgn sir, the context to why I said that line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably will emphasise why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn’t to hurt, provoke or start any debate. Why would I sir?” In a follow-up tweet, the actor added, “I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest, as I said the line in a totally different context. Much love and wishes to you always. Hoping to see you soon.

Sudeep, who is a very successful actor in the Kannada film industry, further added that he was able to understand Ajay’s tweet (written in Devanagari script) as he had learnt and respected the language. Ajay was quick to respond and seemed to bury the hatchet with it. Calling Sudeep a ‘friend’. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, reacted strongly to Ajay Devgn’s tweet. “Hindi was never and will never be our National Language. It is the duty of every Indian to respect the linguistic diversity of our country,” he said.