Somy Ali

Somy Ali (Urdu: سومی علی‎) (born 25 March 1976[2][3]) is a Pakistan born American actress, writer, filmmaker, model and activist who has worked in Bollywood films. She runs a non-profit organization named No More Tears.[4]

Somy Ali
Born
Somy Ali

(1976-03-25) 25 March 1976
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor, Founder and President of No More Tears USA[1]

Early life

Somy Ali was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Her mother Tehmina is Iraqi, and her father Madan is Pakistani. After studying at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Karachi till age 12, she, her mother and brother moved to Florida. Inspired by a teenage crush on Bollywood actor Salman Khan, Ali convinced her mother to allow her to move to Mumbai, India at 16. In Mumbai, Ali was involved in modeling projects and also performed in Hindi movies. She appeared in ten Hindi movies between 1991 and 1998, as a leading lady with top Bollywood actors.[3] While in Mumbai, she was in a relationship with Bollywood's leading actor for eight years Salman Khan. In December 1999, she returned to Florida to continue her studies.[5]

She attended Nova Southeastern University in Florida, majoring in Psychology, and obtained her undergraduate degree in two years. During this time that she became very interested in journalism and decided to attend the University of Miami to obtain a master's degree in broadcast journalism.[2]

Career

While at the University of Miami, Ali developed an interest in documentary films. Subsequently, in February 2003, she left the university to attend the New York Film Academy. She graduated with a degree in film making, direction, screenwriting and editing. Her early projects included short films on abortion, domestic violence, and teenage suicide.[2]

Ali became involved with women's rights issues in South Asia. She works toward publicizing bringing the plight of rape and domestic violence victims. Ali has written articles about rape victims Shazia Khalid, Sonia Naz and Mukhtaran Mai. "My goal is to help all of these women and make sure that every girl/woman in my country and universally is able to obtain an education and has her basic human rights," says Ali. Revenue from her clothing line, So-Me Designs is donated to her non-profit organisation No More Tears, which was founded in 2006.[6]

In 2011, Ali was honoured with the American Heritage Award from the American Immigration Council for her work with No More Tears, The Daily Point of Light Award April 15, 2015 by President George H. W. Bush and The National Domestic Violence Month "A Proclamation" by President Barack Obama for her work with No More Tears. [7]

Filmography

Articles
Article Description Link
"Embrace Diversity" Nova Knight News, GSSA Issue, 20 November 2002
"Our National Parks" Remote Park is Home to Tiny Group of Residents
"Forgotten Victims" n/a
"Pakistani Woman Forced to Live in Shame" n/a
"Veiled Pain" n/a
"ANAA Rally for the Dignity and Safety of Pakistani Women" n/a
"The Sonia Naz Story" n/a

References
  1. Rachana Srivastava 'No More Tears'- An NGO to Help the Abused The Times of India (01 March 2011)
  2. "Journalist and Model – Official Website". Somy Ali. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  3. Singh, Prashant (30 April 2012) Salman helps Somy Ali's charity foundation. Hindustan Times
  4. "No More Tears Project | We're working every day to assist victims of domestic violence and human trafficking". Nmtproject.org. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  5. "Sallu's ex Somy Ali finally speaks up". Hindustan Times. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  6. "Somy Ali helps domestic violence victims – Robbs Celebrity OOPs Free Celebrity News". Robbscelebrityoopsfree.com. 28 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  7. Landry, Julie (15 May 2011). "Somy Ali honored for helping immigrant women – Plantation". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
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