Ranbir Kapoor and Mahira Khan
Source: Twitter @Athar_r

A couple of weeks ago, photos of Ranbir Kapoor and Mahira Khan chilling outside a hotel in New York went viral on the Internet. The two were seen smoking in the photos and onlookers were quick to assume that she’s Ranbir’s new girlfriend, especially after a video of Mahira and Ranbir talking in the hallway of a hotel in Dubai went viral. She was severely criticised and slut shamed for her choice of outfit and for smoking, and people started calling her all kinds of names. While Mahira chose to stay away from commenting about the issue, her close friend Ali Zafar penned down a heartfelt note for her. Ranbir Kapoor too spoke about the matter and took her side, saying she’s a lovely and strong woman. PS – If you missed his epic response, you can check it out here.

Ahead of her upcoming Pakistani release Verna, Mahira opened up about the ordeal in an interview with Something Haute. Here are excerpts:

On how it affected her

I’d be lying if I said that I decided right off the bat that I wouldn’t respond to this controversy. And I’m a very strong woman but when all of this happened, I was completely shattered and broken. I would think about posting a statement every day. Then I would stop myself because I just wouldn’t know what to say.

She understands her fans’ disappointment

Thankfully, ‘Power Di Game’ was ready to be released, which I thought was perfect timing, so I just posted that as sort of a response to the trolls. But to be honest, I understand where all the criticism came from and it didn’t come from a place of hate. I’m not talking about the trolls but those who were genuinely disappointed to see those pictures. It’s the same disappointment that my nani or my mamoo would have felt seeing that. So even now when I meet an older lady who says that she didn’t like the pictures, I’m quick to apologize.

On whether she’s a good role model for her fans

People ask me if I’m a good role model for my fans, and my response to that is that yes, I am a role model but I’m not the perfect role model. I am human, I make mistakes. And I was really happy to see that there were so many people who stood up for me. It goes to show that the narrative in Pakistan is changing, and if nothing else, I’m happy to have been part of that narrative.

It’s heartening to see Mahira speak with such honesty and honestly, we only wish you more power and strength, Mahira! And hey, what mistake?