Mahira Khan slammed for photos with Ranbir Kapoor; Ali Zafar writes open letter in her defense

Pakistani actor-singer-model Ali Zafar expressed his disappointment over the barrage of social media reactions to a picture that captured Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and Ranbir Kapoor smoking outside an alley in the New York City. He defended his colleagues and posted an open letter that reads:

“What has happened to us? Have we lost all sense of sensibility? Must we choose gossip, intrigue and the self-appointed right of judgment over restrained, grace, tolerance and compassion? Every woman has the right to make her own choices in life (as long she’s not hurting anyone else), just like we men do. How we react defines our own character. Choose wisely, for we SHALL be judged!”

After the picture went viral on Thursday, people on social media called Khan names and slut-shamed her for — A. smoking; B. spending time alone with Kapoor; and C. wearing a “tiny” white dress. _Pakistan Observer’_s weekly and fashion magazine Social Diary had posted a picture of Khan and Kapoor on their Instagram page on Friday, 22 September. Within minutes, the photo sparked a diatribe against the two actors, Khan in particular. People shamed her for many reasons. Some of them were because she is a woman who must adhere to protocols and codes of conduct.