Salman Khan’s ex Somy Ali reacts to Hema Committee report : After a difficult relationship with Salman Khan in the 1990s and a time as a Bollywood actor, Somy Ali founded a nonprofit to support victims of domestic abuse.
It’s time for all other film industries to clean up their own rot in light of the alarming conclusions of the Hema Committee report regarding the degree of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Former Bollywood star Somy Ali talks exclusively with us about her struggles as an actress in the 1990s and her founding of the No More Tears charity, which supports victims of domestic abuse.
Salman Khan’s ex Somy Ali reacts to Hema Committee report : Take-outs:
According to a recent report by the Hema Committee, women who spoke out against sexual harassment in the Malayalam film business were denied jobs. Did you experience the similar misfortune in the late 1990s that forced you to flee the nation?
I appreciate you asking. Women in the entertainment sector, not only in Kerala but worldwide, find the Hema Committee report’s conclusions depressing and regrettably all too familiar. Although the conditions I encountered in Bollywood in the late 1990s were not quite the same as those faced by women in the Malayalam film business, a toxic atmosphere that frequently silenced women or penalized them for speaking up had a profound impact on my experience.
I have personally had #MeToo moments where I was advised that going to a certain man’s suite was essential to my professional advancement. I have also seen the tragic “walk of shame” where women, looking unkempt and upset, leave hotel suites early in the morning after being taken advantage of by some of Bollywood’s top performers, including guys who are perceived by the public as devoted family men.
Although I am a strong advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in committed relationships, I am also conscious of the complicated and unsettling circumstances that sometimes arise in private. One of the biggest stars in Bollywood, for example, was involved in a gender-ambiguous relationship with his homosexual boyfriend, who became the father of an aborted child with the star’s older sister. The necessity of systemic transformation is further highlighted by these concealed realities.
The industry at the time did not provide much assistance to women who wished to assert their independence or spoke out against harassment. It was evident from the difficulties I encountered that my voice wasn’t given the respect it deserved. I moved to the US as a result of this, as well as my developing passion for social justice and ambition to change the world.
My experience is not unique; the predicament faced by women in the film industry, in Kerala or elsewhere, emphasizes the critical need for structural change. I genuinely hope that the Hema Committee report acts as a wake-up call for the industry to empower and protect abused women and men so they can continue working without fear of reprisal.
You recently reaffirmed that Salman Khan, your ex-partner, succeeded in getting the 2020 documentary on your domestic abuse charity banned in India. However, he has previously assisted you with your charitable endeavors. Why does he support your efforts in such an inconsistent way?
Salman and I have a convoluted past filled with both major setbacks and encouraging moments. It’s true that Salman has given to my charitable endeavors in the past, and I appreciate that. But his support has been inconsistent, especially with regard to the more challenging parts of my work that highlight topics such as domestic abuse.
Fight or Flight, a 2020 Discovery+ documentary on No More Tears, aimed to increase awareness of the difficult circumstances encountered by abuse survivors, including my own experiences. Regrettably, influential people who might not have been comfortable with the truths it presented had an impact on its suspension in India. I can’t speak for Salman’s intentions, but in my opinion, help should be given without restrictions or conditions, especially when it comes to strengthening survivors and speaking out against abuse. Whether someone is in favor of or against the work I do to assist victims, at the end of the day, my attention is still on that. My goal is clear, and even in the face of difficulty, I will never give up on people who are in need of a voice.
According to Kangana Ranaut’s recent claims, she stood for survivors in Bollywood during the Me Too movement but was abandoned when they withdrew under duress. Have you ever been in a position where other ladies or your ex-girlfriends choose not to speak up while you did?
I can appreciate Kangana’s perspective. Speaking up comes with a lot of pressure, particularly in fields like Bollywood, and not everyone has the fortitude or support to stick with it when things become tough. In comparable circumstances, I have spoken out against injustices, but other women or my ex-girlfriends have opted not to support me in that struggle. Although it is depressing, I can appreciate the anxiety and social repercussions that many women experience when they decide to speak up.
Nevertheless, I’ve never allowed the lack of support from others to deter me from seeking justice—through No More Tears or my personal experiences. Being abandoned is not easy, but I firmly think that it is my duty to defend abuse survivors. Throughout the process, I’ve been lucky to discover supporters, and in the end, I prefer to concentrate on the voices I can raise above those who may have opted for silence.
Following his resignation from AMMA, Mohanlal stated that sexual harassment is far more common in other sectors of the economy. What, in your opinion, is preventing Bollywood skeletons from emerging out the closet?
Unfortunately, Mohanlal’s comment that sexual harassment is ubiquitous in a variety of occupations is spot on. Every day, I witness victims of sexual harassment in cases of domestic violence and human trafficking; the perpetrators come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions.
Survivors find it extremely difficult to come out because of the highly rooted power structures in specific sectors, such as Bollywood. Three major disincentives are fear of reprisal, lost professional chances, and social exclusion. There is a lot of power in the sector, and there is a lot of pressure to be quiet.
Additionally, Bollywood has a culture of hero worship and secrecy that can make it even harder for skeletons to come out of the closet. There’s a reluctance to challenge or expose those in powerful positions, especially when careers, reputations, and even personal safety are at stake.
Having said that, I think #MeToo and similar campaigns are helping to progressively turn the tide. Although more people are developing the bravery to speak up, removing these obstacles will require time and persistent work. It is imperative that we keep helping survivors and foster an atmosphere in which they may come forward without worrying about reprisals.
Have you firsthand knowledge of any Bollywood situation in which a woman was penalized for speaking up?
Divya Bharti’s tragic death remains one of Bollywood’s most heartbreaking mysteries, but I want to share something deeply personal that she confided in me before her passing. Divya told me that she was under immense pressure due to certain troubling circumstances, including being subjected to sex trafficking impositions. She was deeply troubled and mentioned that there were plans for her to travel abroad, which she was extremely apprehensive about.
She told me that she was in a very tough and sad circumstance, however there has been much speculation over the years and I cannot speak to all the details. It’s terrible to consider the hardships that bright, gifted young Divya may have been facing before her life was sadly cut short.
It’s critical to handle this with tact and consideration for her loved ones. In the end, we might never know the whole story, but in the meanwhile, I think it’s critical to honor her memory by recognizing the difficulties she encountered and making sure her legacy continues to motivate others.
You manage a well-established charity that supports women who are victims of abuse. However, how can we support initiatives aimed at assisting the guys in these violent situations who are using violence as a form of self-medication?
I appreciate you drawing attention to this crucial part of the problem. Our nonprofit, No More Tears, is committed to assisting all victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, including men, women, children, LGBTQ+ individuals, and even animals, who are sometimes neglected but yet endure abuse. We also think it’s critical to address the underlying reasons of abusive behavior in men. It’s important to acknowledge that many males who turn to violence are dealing with unresolved trauma, mental health issues, or pressures from society, and that they too require care.
To effectively assist men who are either in abusive relationships or are themselves abusive, we must work to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and promote a culture where seeking help is encouraged. This involves raising awareness, making mental health resources more accessible, and fostering open conversations about emotions, vulnerability, and the harmful effects of toxic masculinity.
Moreover, intervention programs focused on rehabilitation, anger management, and counselling for men are crucial. By addressing the root causes rather than just the symptoms, these efforts can prevent future violence. We need a holistic approach to end the cycle of abuse, ensuring that both survivors and those who perpetrate violence receive the support they need to heal and change. Ultimately, our goal is to create a society where everyone, regardless of gender, can seek help and live free from the cycles of violence.
Read Live Entertainment News and latest Entertainment updates on Cloudinger News. Stay up-to-date with current top news in Entertainment along with breaking Entertainment News.
