"If you look at the awardees over the last couple of years, all of them have not exactly invented a nuclear bomb," the actor told a news channel.
Saif's being named a Padma Shri had surprised many and sparked protests from the Bishnoi community due to the pending court case against him and Salman Khan for killing two black bucks.
The 39-year-old star said that he is "conscious" that there are many more people who deserved it more than him.
"I do agree that there will be a few raised eyebrows because I am relatively younger and perhaps there are more deserving people out there," said the actor.
However, his latest stance is slightly different from his previous statement where he had said that he felt "undeserving" of the honour.
"Honestly speaking, I feel really humbled and undeserving on being awarded the Padma Shri. It isn't something that I had asked for and since Government of India has done this for me, all I can do is to deliver my best and live up to it," Saif had said.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks