Mahira Khan Thought Her Career Was Over After Viral Photos With Ranbir Kapoor

Mumbai (Maharaahtra) [India] December 17 : Mahira Khan, one of Pakistan’s leading actors, recently opened up about a difficult time in her life when viral photos with Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor left her feeling shattered. The photos, which showed the two actors smoking together in New York in 2017, created a storm online, leading to public criticism and personal struggles for the Raees actress.

In a candid conversation, Mahira revealed how the controversy affected her mental health. "I thought my career was over," she shared, recalling how the backlash was relentless. “I was crying daily,” Mahira admitted, adding that the incident made her question everything, both professionally and personally.

The photos came at a time when Mahira was at the peak of her career, having just starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the Bollywood hit Raees. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pakistani artists were banned from working in India following political tensions between the two countries. For Mahira, this meant losing out on future opportunities in Bollywood, a move that deeply affected her as an artist.

“I was not only dealing with the ban but also the backlash from those pictures. It felt like the world had turned against me,” Mahira said. Being a single mother only added to the pressures she was facing at the time. "I had to stay strong for my son, but it was one of the toughest periods of my life," she said.

Despite the challenges, Mahira slowly began to rebuild herself. She received support from her family, friends, and fans, which helped her regain confidence. "It wasn’t easy, but I learned that you can come out stronger from these moments," she said.

Mahira also reflected on the double standards women face in the industry. "I was judged harshly for something that shouldn’t have been a big deal," she noted, pointing out how male celebrities are often spared similar scrutiny.

Today, Mahira has emerged stronger and continues to work on meaningful projects, balancing her career with her role as a devoted mother. She hopes that her story can inspire others to overcome challenges, no matter how hard life gets.

“It’s okay to fall, but you must get up again,” Mahira said, ending on a hopeful note.

 By Snehaa Goyyal