Fight or Flight – Somy Ali!

Share this on

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Somy Ali, fight or flight

She’s just 46, yet her life has been less than ordinary replete with sharp-toothed serpentine twists ‘n’ turns and razor-edged challenges that at times seared painfully into her very being leaving her scarred and traumatized. …From being bullied in school to being a rape survivor at the age of 14; from debuting as a film star at the age of 16 in a new country to giving it all up by the time she turned 23; indeed, her life has been a huge challenge from a very young age.  But with immense courage and grit, she faced her own demons and turned her life around to start her NGO No More Tears.

Meet the incredible Somy Ali, actor turned social activist, who has relentlessly worked for victims of rape, human trafficking, and domestic violence for the last 15 years. In fact, a documentary series called ‘Fight or Flight’ on Discovery Plus-USA has even been made specifically on her work.

We caught up with Somy Ali to find out more about her life, her NGO and the documentary made on her work, and why she gave up acting for social work.  Somy starts off by saying, “Acting wasn’t my dream or calling. I didn’t come to Mumbai to become an actress. I became an actress by accident. Back in the early ‘90s when I entered the Hindi film industry, I had no interest in acting nor did I have any proper guidance from anyone on anything – from makeup to clothing. I was like a kid left in the woods to fend for herself or thrown in the pool not knowing how to swim. I was completely lost and alone which led to many mistakes, but no regrets. I deem them to be a part of my journey and a pivotal time where I learned many things about people which brought me to where I am today.”

After her seven-year stint as an actor in Mumbai, Somy went back to Miami to complete her studies and after that, she started her NGO No More Tears. “After finishing my education, for the past 15 years, I have been running my NGO, No More Tears (NMT) with a mission to rescue and empower victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. This includes rescuing young girls thrown into the horrible life of prostitution as well as the LGBTQ community who are kicked out of their homes because of their sexual orientation. The pimps look for these vulnerabilities in the youth and grab them from the streets. NMT works along with the police and the FBI to rescue them and provide them with an abundance of opportunities to live safe abuse-free life. It gave me immense joy as a human being.”

 ‘Fight and Flight’ streaming on Discovery+ USA has been made on your work, what is it about?  Somy says, “It’s a documentary series about my NGO’s day-to-day work in-depth and its mission. The cameras followed me for three months straight rescuing and transforming victims into survivors. With Discovery+, I now have an international platform that puts the spotlight on what victims of domestic violence and human trafficking experience. Sharing my journey has been extremely cathartic, and this is perhaps the most liberated I have ever felt. My purpose in life is to save as many lives as possible and I hope through this docu-series, more victims will understand that they are not alone.

Somy further says, “I am a rape survivor. And in spite of those things have taken place when I was 14, I still have trauma and nightmares about my plight even in my 40s. This kind of suffering never dissipates; one simply has to learn to live with it. While there is no barometer for who suffered less or more, each rape survivor deals with his or her distress in their own way. This has been my experience of working with thousands of rape survivors through my NGO.”

Kudos to this incredibly amazing woman!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

Tags

Related articles

Ricky Vasandani is a true visionary, a dynamic entrepreneur who’s redefining the future of luxury diamonds. With roots that stretch across four continents and a family legacy in the diamond jewellery industry, Ricky has seamlessly blended tradition with innovation. As the CEO and Co-founder of Solitario Diamonds, he brings unparalleled expertise in marketing and operations to lead the brand’s meteoric rise. With his forward-thinking approach, Ricky has earned a well-deserved spot on TheGlitz 2025 Catalysts -cementing his position as a true game-changer in the world of luxury, sustainability, and modern entrepreneurship.
There should be more trailblazers like Natasha Tuli in the world! Why? Because she’s not just a Founder; she’s the Chief Formulator and Storyteller behind Soulflower, the clean beauty brand redefining what it means to be fabulous from farm-to-face. It’s no surprise that Natasha Tuli is part of the esteemed TheGlitz 2025 Catalyst list, acknowledging her as one of the most influential figures in the beauty world, a true game-changer who's shaking things up, one eco-conscious bottle at a time!
Arnesh Ghose is a maverick genius in the world of brand strategy, visual communication, and content wizardry. With over 14 years of trailblazing experience, he’s the go-to mastermind behind some of the most iconic brand stories and global collaborations. From shaping the pages of Vogue, Rolling Stone, and GQ to crafting narratives for luxury powerhouses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Armani, Arnesh is the ultimate storyteller who mixes creativity with strategy like a well-curated cocktail. Arnesh's forward-thinking approach to brand storytelling earned him a well-deserved spot in TheGlitz 2025 Catalysts.
Frolic Fields Festival is back on February 8-9, ready to turn an ordinary weekend into an unforgettable family adventure! Remember the pure joy in your child's eyes when they stumble upon something extraordinary? Do you recall that enchanting moment when learning transforms into play? Get ready for thousands of those moments, where curiosity meets excitement and memories are made. Read on…
Paritosh Ladhani is a force to be reckoned with in the world of hospitality and business. As the Managing Director of Sincere Developers, he has orchestrated some of the most iconic landmarks in India, including the prestigious Taj Hotel and Convention Centre in Agra and the glamorous Hard Rock Cafe in Delhi. His visionary approach to luxury and innovation has reshaped the hospitality landscape, earning him a seat at the table of the country's most influential entrepreneurs. As a forward-thinking leader, he has now ascended to the elite group of TheGlitz 2025 Catalyst, an exclusive collective of changemakers and trailblazers who are redefining industries and setting new standards of excellence.
In an exclusive conversation with TheGlitz, Dr. Pooja Malhotra reveals how she blends her medical expertise with a passion for fashion, creating PowerSutra, a brand that redefines 'Desk to Dinner' dressing for the modern woman. A confident, well-dressed woman at heart, Pooja’s mantra is simple: to feel powerful, you need to look powerful. And through PowerSutra, she’s doing just that, empowering women to dress with purpose and poise.