Only our father supported us, but the entire nation stands with Zaira: Geeta Phogat.

Phogat sisters came out in a heart-rending defense for the Dangal fame actress Zaira Wasim, post her twitter-apology row. Recapitulating her own heavily scrutinized childhood, Geeta urges Zaira to be strong and keep going.

After already extending her support to Zaira yesterday, speaking to ANI, wrestler Geeta Phogat, today in an event in the capital urged people to go easy on the 16-year old, and pleaded Zaira to not get affected by the surrounding negativity.

"I sympathize with Zaira and understand her pain; some people just can't see others succeed. We underwent a similar series of taunts and backlash when we were 15-16 years old. It was only when we attained this fame, that things started to turn around."

Unable to reach Zaira on her phone, through ANI she tried to assure Zaira that they only had their father's support, but the entire nation stands with the actor, and is proud of her achievements.

Her sister, wrestler Babita Phogat was seen echoing a similar sentiment, and assured Zaira that she wasn't wrong, and mustn't apologize. Instead, people who trolled her should come out and apologize to her.

She added, "It's unfortunate, that such a state of affairs prevail for every girl out there in a free country like India. A major change in the thought process is required."

She thanked Aamir for his firm support towards the actress, and urged people to be more considerate and be respectful towards her life and choices.

Earlier today actor Aamir Khan issued statement that begins, "I have read Zaira's statement, and I can understand and imagine what lead her to make that statement."

"You certainly are a role model for me! May god bless you," he added before appealing to everyone to "leave her alone".

Zaira recently issued an out-of-the-blue apology through her Facebook and Twitter accounts for 'unintentionally hurting' those who were 'offended' by her 'recent actions or by the people she recently met'.

Though the reason for her apology is not very clear, it is, however, being speculated that Zaira posted this note after being trolled for meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti a couple of days ago and purportedly crediting her for her film's success.