My son is unmarried, can meet whoever he wants, Rishi Kapoor on Mahira-Ranbir

This week, Ranbir Kapoor and Mahira Khan controversy dominated the social media landscape — from hate to support from different corners it wasn't short of a roller coaster ride for fans from both sides of the border.

As the rumour mill got its much-needed fuel, Ranbir's father and veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor was not certainly the one to restrain himself from opining on the viral pictures.

Rishi spoke to a leading newspaper and said that he saw the pictures for the first time on Twitter and he didn't have any prior knowledge of them.

"You see, Ranbir is a young star, he is unmarried, he's a bachelor. He can meet anybody whoever he wants to, and if people are going to invade in his privacy, it's not done. And I can't say anything about all this because he's a young man and he has the choice of meeting any girl," he was quoted as saying by Pink Villa.

In the same vein, Ranbir's papa said that there's no way of knowing if there's more to the story from these pictures. The two could only be meeting or in a place where they couldn't smoke so they went outside, he added.

Ranbir defends Mahira, calls out double standards for judging women

'It is very unfair the way she is being judged and spoken about. What is also sad is the inequality in judgment just because she is a woman,' said Ranbir

Rishi said he cannot comment further on the subject because he does not know anything more than that himself — Ermm, having a hard time believing that? We too!

A day ago, Ranbir himself spoke on the subject, shooting down all the hate and criticism on the matter.

"I've gotten to know Mahira in a personal capacity over the last few months. She is somebody who I admire and respect, for her achievements and even more for the person she is. It is very unfair the way she is being judged and spoken about. What is also sad is the inequality in judgment just because she is a woman. I request you to stop the negativity and move on with your beautiful god gifted lives. Peace and love," Indian media reported Ranbir saying.

The recently emerged pictures show Mahira in a white dress along with Ranbir Kapoor in New York. The pictures were taken in July when Ranbir was filming for Sanjay Dutt's biopic.

Outpour of support

Many Pakistani celebrities stepped in and spoke in favour of the Ho Mann Jahaan actress.

In a handwritten note, singer Ali Zafar wrote "every woman has the right to make her own choices in life (as long as she's not hurting anyone). Just like men do."

Actor and comedian Osman Khalid Butt turned the tables to point towards the hypocrisy in the society, posing with a friend with a cigarette in a similar pose as Mahira and Ranbir.

Singing sensation Momina Mustehsan threw in her own two cents: "Jesus. Can we please give @TheMahiraKhan a break?! Why are we so quick to judge and attack?! Esp if it's a woman in question. It's her life!"