Bollywood actor Sohail Khan has found himself at the centre of an unlikely debate after a video showed him riding a motorbike on Mumbai’s Bandra streets without a helmet.

As the clip spread fast on social media, netizens rushed to criticise him. Many said it was disappointing to see a public figure ignoring such a basic traffic rule, especially in a city like Mumbai where bike accidents are common

After much backlash, the 54-year-old not only apologised for his act but also issued a statement on Instagram, describing the reason behind his act.

He shared a photo of himself on the bike and admitted he was wrong.

In the caption, he wrote, “I would like to request all bike riders to please wear helmets. I avoid wearing them at times as I feel claustrophobic, but that is no excuse for not wearing one. Riding has always been my passion since childhood. It began with BMX cycles, and now I ride bikes. I mostly ride late at night, when there is not much traffic, to minimise risks, that too at a slow pace and with my car following me.”

The Krishna Cottage star vowed to obey all traffic rules in the future and added, “I assure fellow riders that I will make a genuine effort to overcome my claustrophobia and wear a helmet, so please bear with me.

My sincere apologies to the traffic authorities, and I assure them that I will follow all the rules henceforth. I salute all riders who wear their helmets at all times despite the discomfort, as it is necessary for our safety. It is better to be safe than sorry. Once again, I am really sorry.”

Sohail Khan was last seen in the Telugu film Arjun: Son of Vyjayanthi, released earlier this year to mixed reviews.