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Somy Ali (born March 25, 1976) is a former Bollywood actress and current model and journalist. She has her own clothing line, So-Me Designs apart from running a non profit organization, No More Tears. Additionally, Somy is currently touring the United States giving lectures about social issues.
Born to an Iraqi mother, Tehmina and a Pakistani father, Madan, she has two sisters, Hina and Huma and one younger brother, Mohammed. After studying at the Convent of Jesus & Mary High School in Karachi until the age of 7, she, her mother and brother re-located to Florida U.S.A, before moving to Mumbai, India to focus on her acting career, where she appeared in 9 movies and had several modeling assignments.
In January 1999, Somy returned to the U.S.A to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She attended Nova Southeastern University in Florida and graduated in three years' time. Somy worked at a local radio station doing talk-shows on social and political issues for two years while working on her bachelor's degree. It was 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 print journalism. During the mid-90s, she dated Bollywood actor Salman Khan. They ended their relationship in 1999.
In February 2003 while attending the University of Miami, Somy developed an interest in documentary films, therefore left university to attend the New York Film Academy. She graduated with a degree in film making, direction, script writing, and editing. Some of her first projects included short films on abortion, domestic violence, and teenage suicide.
Ali has been involved with women's rights issues in South Asia. She is working towards bringing the plight of rape and domestic violence victims to the media's attention. Somy has written articles about
Dr. Shazia Khalid, Sonia Naz, and Mukhtaran Mai. All of these women are victims of rape and have fought and are still fighting for justice in Pakistan. "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 Somy. Revenue from her clothing line, So-Me Designs is donated to her non-profit No More Tears, which was founded in 2006.
In 2011, Ali was honored with the American Heritage Award from the American Immigration Council for her work with No More Tears.
Filmography
§ Anth (1993) as Priya
§ Krishan Avtaar (1993)
§ Yaar Gaddar (1994) as Jai's girlfriend
§ Teesra Kaun? (1994) as Priyanka
§ Aao Pyaar Karen (1994) as Sonu S. Rai
§ Andolan (1995)
§ Mafia (1996) as Kiran Pawar
§ Chupp (1997) as Asha
§ Bulund – Unreleased
Somy was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on the 25th day of March. She attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary School until the age of seven in Karachi. Following that, Somy's mother, her younger brother, Mohammad, and she moved to Fort.Lauderdale, Florida to start a new life.
In 1992 when Somy turned 16, she moved to Mumbai, India, with an interest in modeling as well as working in Hindi films. Somy worked in ten Hindi films and did some commercials simultaneously during her years spent in Mumbai, India.
In January of 1999, Somy moved back to America to obtain a degree in psychology. She attended the Nova Southeastern University in Florida and in three years time graduated with her Bachelor's degree in psychology. Somy worked at a local radio station doing talk-shows on social and political issues for two years while working on her bachelor's degree, it was 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 print journalism.
In February, 2003 while attending the University of Miami, Somy developed an interest in documentary films, therefore left UM to attend the New York Film Academy. She graduated with a degree in film making, direction, script writing, and editing in October, 2003 and completed three short films on Abortion, Domestic Violence, and Teenage suicide. Following that, Somy attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Florida and on the 31st of December 2004 obtained a degree in broadcast journalism.
After her graduation from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Somy has been working as a freelance journalist and producing short films for human rights organziations. She's also working on directing and producing a documentary film on the "Lives of Muslim Women."
Somy's mother, Tehmina Ali, is originally from Baghdad, Iraq. Somy's father, Madan Ali, is from Karachi, Pakistan. Somy has one younger brother, Mohammad, who lives in L.A.
Somy has been working as a human rights advocate through her 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, No More Tears, that stands in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its guarantees of safety, security and freedom for all humans. Understanding that violence takes many forms but is often rooted in social inequalities, No More Tears' mission is to eradicate violence in all its forms through collaborative projects involving awareness, education, activism, and advocacy for victims both domestically and abroad.
No More Tears has rescued over 40 victims of domestic violence and their children since its launch in 2007. In addition to her non-profit organization, Somy is the founder and CEO of So-Me Designs. A clothing line based on taking a stand against all intolerance through the aid of fashion. So-Me clothing is available in boutiques all over the U.S. and sells through their website as well.
Source : Wikipedia
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