Swedish-Iranian Abbasi, who has become known for the film about President Donald Trump, "The Apprentice," went out on the X platform on Saturday and admitted that his behavior had been too "familiar" towards the actor.
The slap is said to have taken place at a party after the Golden Globe gala in Beverly Hills in January.
"I fully understand that my behavior made someone uncomfortable, regardless of my intentions, and for that, I am extremely sorry," Abbasi writes on X.
According to Abbasi, the slap was not at all sexually intended but rather playful. He emphasizes that he is a good friend of the male actor, whose name has not been disclosed.
Abbasi writes further that he immediately apologized when he realized that what he did was not well received. He apologized again through his representatives the day after.
Abbasi's film about Trump was released weeks before the election in the USA and caused a great stir due to the unflattering portrayal of the real estate magnate who became president. The film also claims that the 78-year-old Trump suffers from erectile dysfunction and undergoes surgery for hair loss.
"The Apprentice" is Oscar-nominated in the categories of Best Male Lead (Sebastian Stan) and Best Male Supporting Role (Jeremy Strong).
Corrected version: In an earlier version, the wrong name for Best Male Supporting Role was given, where the character's and not the actor's name was specified.
