Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI): Actor Varun Dhawan has apologised for mocking actress Kangana Ranaut in wake of the nepotism controversy.

The 30-year-old actor took to Twitter to express his regret on taking part in a joke at the recently concluded 2017 IIFA Awards ceremony, which refuelled the debate that had become a bone of contention between Kangana and filmmaker Karan Johar earlier this year.

"I express my apology and regret... I am extremely sorry if I have offended or hurt anyone with that act..." wrote Varun.

The "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" star's statement comes in after he, along with hosts for the event Johar and Saif Ali Khan were criticised on social media for the joke made at the expense of the actress.

Johar and Saif took a dig at Kangana when Varun joined them on the stage to receive the award for the best performance in a comic role for "Dishoom".

Saif raked up the issue when he joked that the actor had made it big in the industry because of his father, director David Dhawan.

"You are here because of your pappa," Saif quipped. To which Varun replied, "You are here because of your mummy (referring to Sharmila Tagore)." Soon, Johar joined them and said he was in the industry because of his father, filmmaker Yash Johar. The trio then shouted, "Nepotism rocks".

Saif and Varun then sang "Bole chudiyaan" from Johar's film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..." But the director twisted the second part of the song to take a potshot at the actress, saying, 'Kangana nahi bole toh achha hai' (It would be better for Kangana not to speak).

Kangana had fuelled the nepotism debate when she appeared on Johar's chat show where she referred to him as "the flag bearer of nepotism", something that did not go down well with the director-producer.