9th June 2023, Mumbai: Somy Ali, who began her career as an actor in Bollywood, has taken a different path and now runs her NGO, No More Tears (NMT), in Miami, US. She followed her heart and embraced humanitarian work, finding fulfillment in making a difference. However, she remains open to good acting opportunities as well.Somy’s dedication to her NGO has been unwavering, despite the challenges she has faced. She has endured personal hardships, including physical attacks and financial strain, but she has no regrets. She believes that when faced with atrocities, there are two paths to choose from: self-pity or resilience. Somy chose to stand tall, overcome hurdles, and continue her work. She emphasizes that this mindset applies not only to her work with NMT but also to any other profession. Failure has been a part of her journey, but she sees it as a valuable lesson that shapes success.
According to Somy, our personalities develop biologically and psychologically by the age of 8-9. This early development has enabled her to thrive in chaos and become adept at multitasking. She can effortlessly switch between posing for glamorous magazine shoots and comforting domestic violence victims in an emergency room. She emphasizes that these two aspects of her life are not mutually exclusive.
Reflecting on her past experiences, Somy recalls being bullied when she moved to the US at the age of 9. Later, when she moved to India, she faced mockery, ridicule, and even slut-shaming. Despite the negative opinions of others, she feels victorious because she knows her truth and why she made the choices she did. She believes that what others think of her is irrelevant, and as one grows older, the circle of true friends becomes smaller. Somy maintains her faith in a higher power and awaits the day when she will be vindicated, not seeking revenge but seeking validation.
When asked if her struggles caused her to miss out on opportunities, Somy explains that it is difficult to struggle for something that one is not genuinely interested in. She did not face significant challenges and was cast opposite some of the biggest actors in the Hindi film industry at a young age. However, she lacked guidance and knowledge, as she was left alone in hotel rooms without proper support. It was only through the kindness of others, like Amrita Singh, who taught her about skincare and makeup, that she gained essential knowledge. Although opportunities were present, she did not have the desire to take advantage of them.
Now, Somy is ready to return to the industry and wishes to take on substantial roles that are both entertaining and impactful for society. Much like her journey with NMT, she aims to contribute to the industry by portraying characters that convey meaningful messages and make a positive difference in society.