About a month ago, pictures of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor took the internet by storm, inwhich the two actors were seen smoking together on New York City streets.

Soon after these pictures surfaced on the internet, Mahira received a lot of backlash and social media did not take long before questioning her character. However, various celebrities came for Mahira’s rescue, including Pakistani singer/actor Ali Zafar, who is now speaking why he took the actress’ side.

Celebrities react to Mahira-Ranbir’s smoke break

In a recent interview with Gulf News, the Pakistani singer was asked why he came for Mahira’s defence to which Ali said, “For so long in this part of the world, we have suppressed women in general — especially us men who think that we are superior and women are our slaves. We feel we can do whatever we want them. We own them.”

“Ultimately, it’s her life. I do understand that when being in the limelight one needs to be more careful about various things but at the end of the day we are all human. We all make mistakes and we need to be more compassionate and forgiving towards one another,” he added.

Ali originally shared a handwritten note on his twitter account, taking Mahira’s side that read, “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 restrain, grace, tolerance and compassion? Every woman has the right to make her own choices in life [as long as she is not hurting anyone else] just like we men do. How we react defines our own character. Choose wisely, for we SHALL be judged!”