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Mahira Khan was in London on Tuesday for a gala hosted by the British Asian Trust where she met the charity’s founder and chief patron, King Charles.

Khan was there as an ambassador of the trust for Pakistan and was joined by other notable celebrities, business leaders and prominent members of the British-Asian community.

Other attendees included the newly-knighted author Meera Syal, actor Kunal Nayyar and musician Jay Sean who performed at the event.

Talking about her interaction with the king, Khan said he was “charming and interested” in the charity’s work, particularly when it comes to work on mental health awareness and treatment in Pakistan.

She said mental health was something that people “attached to shame” which made even conversations about the subject difficult. She said people need to realise mental health issues were “a disease, like arthritis or cancer”.

She said the king knew what she had done for the charity and even commended her efforts. “He said, ‘You know, you guys have made such a big difference and I think this is something we can work more towards.’”

The actor also spoke on women’s rights and violence against women in Pakistan. Reiterating her reaction to the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir on Saturday, she asked where the men of the world were and why they weren’t angry. “I am very angry and I am sure all women are angry. Angry is an understatement, we’re boiling with rage. But where are the men? Why aren’t they speaking up? So, I think it’s time men stand up.”