In the photos, the "Raees" star is seen in a white backless dress, smoking with actor Ranbir Kapoor in New York.
The actor was trolled on social media and was also at the receiving end of slut-shaming.
When asked about her reaction, Parineeti told reporters, "I'll just say one line. It's a little unfair. Everybody knows it's unfair and it'll stop. Today, because of social media, everything becomes too big a deal."
Varun also came out in support of Mahira.
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"Shame on them for shaming her," Varun said in an interview while responding to the story.
Pakistani star Ali Zafar also took to Instagram and wrote, "What has happened to us? Have we lost all sense of sensibility?
"Must we choose gossip, intrigue and the self-appointed right of judgement over restrain, grace, tolerance and compassion?"
Continuing with the letter, the actor wrote, "Every woman has the right to make her own choices in life (as long as she's not hurting anyone else) just like we men do.