From Miami, Somy Ali, a former Bollywood actress and Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend, was interviewed on Qvive Network with our Editor-in-Chief, Ashutosh Pathak in a recent episode of India Debate. The conversation focused on her personal identity beyond her association with Salman Khan, her Bollywood experiences from 1990 to 1999, and her current life running an NGO in the U.S. She addressed her struggles with public perception, the dark realities of Bollywood’s underworld connections, and Salman Khan’s personal and professional influence.
1. Somy Ali’s Personal Identity and Bollywood Journey
- Somy Ali emphasized the importance of being recognized for her own identity rather than just as “Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend.”
- She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, with a mixed Hindu-Muslim heritage, moved to America at age 9, and came to India at 16 motivated by a dream to marry Salman Khan.
- She was deeply influenced by Bollywood legends like Rajesh Khanna and Rekha.
- Somy entered Bollywood in 1991, initially uninterested in acting but got involved due to family connections and encounters with Salman Khan.
- She lived with Salman Khan for about two to three years and was involved in multiple relationships during that period, asserting women can have affairs like men, challenging Salman’s double standards.
2. Relationship with Salman Khan
- Salman was initially honest about his relationship with actress Sangeeta Bijlani, with whom he was engaged, but broke it off after meeting Somy.
- Somy’s relationship with Salman lasted about eight years but was marked by infidelity on Salman’s part.
- Salman was described as violent and abusive, a behavior documented in tabloids during the 1990s and confirmed by Somy.
- Despite living with Salman and being part of his family circle, marriage never materialized, and Salman showed no regrets about ending his previous relationship.
- Somy revealed Salman’s hypocrisy on gender roles, permitting his affairs while forbidding hers, leading her to rebel with multiple relationships.
- She praised Salim Khan and other family members for their genuine and loving treatment of her.
3. Bollywood Underworld and Drug Influence
- Somy learned about the Bollywood underworld’s control over casting and production through actress Divya Bharti, who became her close friend before her mysterious death.
- Divya Bharti’s death is hinted to be suspicious, linked to her resistance to underworld control.
- Somy recounted receiving threats from underworld figures like Chhota Shakeel and feeling protected by Salman’s influence and power.
- She denied witnessing drug use personally but admitted seeing alcohol use at parties, contrasting with current trends of widespread drug use in Bollywood.
- She described Salman as having deep connections with the underworld, which helped him wield significant influence over police and film industry decisions.
4. 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blasts and Security Concerns
- Somy was evacuated from the Sea Rock Hotel one day before the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts based on warnings her father received from hotel management.
- She remained unaware of Salman’s knowledge about the bombings or underworld activities, nor did she witness him interacting directly with Dawood Ibrahim.
- Her stay in Vindhyachal post-evacuation marked a period of heightened tension and violence in her life.
5. Salman Khan’s Influence and Power
- Salman exercised considerable influence over police officers, as exemplified by his intervention to transfer a racist CID officer who mistreated Somy.
- He was described as a “fixer” who could manipulate investigations and court cases, notably in the Sooraj Pancholi-Jiah Khan case.
- Somy alleges Salman’s ongoing harassment, including legal actions that blacklisted her from Hollywood agencies and disrupted her NGO’s funding.
6. Human Trafficking and NGO Work
- Somy runs an NGO, No More Tears (NMT), for 19 years, rescuing victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in collaboration with FBI and law enforcement.
- The NGO has saved over 60,000 lives, primarily girls and boys trafficked from rural India to the U.S.
- She claims Salman Khan actively sabotaged donations and support for her NGO, using his Bollywood connections to isolate her socially and professionally.
- Somy receives death threats and ongoing harassment but remains committed to fighting against criminal elements and injustice.
7. Other Bollywood Personalities and Relationships
- Somy described cordial relations with Salman’s family but strained or non-existent relationships with many Bollywood celebrities, who avoid her fearing Salman’s influence.
- She mentioned brief interactions with Aishwarya Rai during the time Salman and Aishwarya’s relationship was developing.
- Somy also hinted at Aishwarya Rai’s access to Salman’s house for workouts during the filming of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
8. Views on Bollywood Industry and Social Issues
- Somy criticized Bollywood’s careerism and selfishness, where personal interests override social justice.
- She expressed concern about the pattern of suspicious deaths in Bollywood (Divya Bharti, Jiah Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput) and ongoing struggles for justice.
- Somy is preparing to reveal more details about Divya Bharti’s death in her forthcoming memoir.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976-77 (Approx.) | Somy Ali born in Karachi, Pakistan |
| 1985 (Age 9) | Somy moves to America with family |
| 1990 (Age 15) | Dreams of marrying Salman Khan after watching Maine Pyar Kiya in Miami |
| 1991 (Age 16) | Moves to Mumbai, starts Bollywood journey |
| Early 1990s | Meets Salman Khan; he breaks engagement with Sangeeta for her |
| 1991-1999 | Relationship with Salman lasts about 8 years; experiences violence and infidelity |
| 1993 | Evacuated from Sea Rock Hotel before Mumbai bomb blasts |
| 1993-1996 | Lives in Vindhyachal, experiences violence |
| Late 1990s | Leaves India, returns to America |
| 2007 | Completes Master’s degree; establishes No More Tears NGO |
| 2012 | Apologizes to Sangeeta Bijlani; meets both Sangeeta and Salman in Bangkok |
| 2020-Present | Faces ongoing harassment and blacklisting related to Bollywood and NGO work |
| 2024 (Upcoming) | Plans to release memoir revealing more about Bollywood’s dark underbelly and Divya Bharti’s death |
Somy Ali’s NGO Impact
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| NGO Name | No More Tears (NMT) |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Focus Areas | Domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking victims |
| Collaborations | FBI, police departments globally |
| Lives Saved | Over 60,000 |
| Funding Source | Private donors and foundations |
| Government Support | None |
| Awards | Recognition from Barack Obama, George Bush Sr. |
- Somy Ali is a credible whistleblower exposing the complex intersections of Bollywood, the underworld, and systemic abuse, especially highlighting Salman Khan’s personal and professional conduct.
- Despite her significant contributions as a social activist and survivor, Somy faces continued harassment and blacklisting due to Salman Khan’s influence.
- The interview reveals deep-rooted issues of violence, abuse, and corruption in Bollywood during the 1990s, many of which have persisted.
- Somy’s current work through her NGO reflects her commitment to justice and victim support, contrasting her turbulent past in the film industry.
- Her forthcoming memoir is anticipated to provide further revelations about Bollywood’s hidden dark side and unresolved mysteries.
Watch the Full Episode
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