Pakistan's sweetheart Mahira Khan and Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor's friendship and pictures which recently surfaced have become a target of fans' criticism.

Recent images emerged in which Mahira, clad in a backless white dress, was spotted smoking with Ranbir Kapoor in New York. The pictures were taken in July when Ranbir was filming for Sanjay Dutt's biopic. 

Photo: courtesy Pinkvilla

However, immediately after the images were released some fans expressed their dismay over them. 

Some fans called the pictures 'shameful' and while others shamed Mahira for her dressing. 

However, there were some fans who supported Mahira. 

The actors were first publicly spotted together at the Global Teacher Prize Ceremony in March in Dubai. The two rocked the red-carpet as they walked into the ceremony together.

Initially, Mahira and Ranbir had denied all rumours of close friendship. But, the recent pictures show the two stars are certainly close friends. 

Mahira had made her Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees.