If you were around in the early 90s, you remember the posters. Somy Ali was the wide-eyed teenager who reportedly flew from Florida to Mumbai because she had a massive crush on the guy from Maine Pyar Kiya. It sounds like a fanfiction plot. Honestly, it kind of was. But the reality of what happened between Somy Ali and Salman Khan over the next eight years turned into something much darker than a Bollywood script.
Lately, Somy has been all over the headlines again. She isn't talking about movies anymore. She’s talking about survival.
Most people think of her as just another name on a long list of exes. That’s a mistake. Her story is basically the blueprint for why people stay in bad situations and how they eventually find the strength to leave.
The Messy Reality of the 90s
The timeline is pretty wild. Somy was only 16 when she arrived in India. Think about that for a second. While most of us were worrying about high school exams, she was navigating the shark-infested waters of Bollywood. By the time she was 17, she was dating the biggest star in the country.
Their relationship wasn't some hidden secret, but it wasn't exactly a fairytale either. Somy has recently been very vocal about the "eight night stands" and the constant cheating. She even claimed that Salman's wedding to Sangeeta Bijlani was called off because Sangeeta caught them together. Karma is a weird thing, though. Somy says the same thing eventually happened to her when Aishwarya Rai entered the picture.
Why Somy Ali keeps talking about it now
A lot of trolls ask: "Why now? It's been thirty years."
It’s a fair question if you don't understand how trauma works. Somy has been open about her struggles with PTSD. She’s explained that it took decades to process what she went through.
Back then, the culture was different. If a star was "moody" or "aggressive," it was often brushed off as passion. Somy alleges that the abuse was physical, verbal, and sexual. She’s described incidents where she was left with bruises on her neck or belittled in front of friends.
The most shocking part? She once believed this was normal. She’s admitted in interviews that she thought he hit her because he cared. That is a heartbreaking insight into the mind of someone who was essentially a child in a grown-up world.
The Lawrence Bishnoi Connection
In late 2024 and early 2025, the narrative took a bizarre turn. Salman Khan has been facing legitimate threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. In a move that confused a lot of people, Somy Ali reached out to the gangster on social media.
She wasn't taking sides. Not really.
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She basically asked to have a Zoom call with him to "talk it out." It sounded crazy to some, but Somy identifies as a pacifist. Despite everything she says Salman did to her, she’s been clear that she doesn't want him dead. "No one deserves to be murdered," she told the press. It’s a nuanced take. You can hate what someone did to you and still believe in the rule of law.
Moving Beyond the Shadow
Somy Ali didn't just disappear after leaving India at age 24. She went back to the US, got her education, and founded No More Tears.
This is where the story actually gets good.
She turned her history into a weapon for good. Her non-profit has helped thousands of victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. It’s a 100% volunteer-run organization. No one takes a salary. That’s rare.
When you look at Somy Ali today, she isn't just an "ex-girlfriend." She’s a survivor who is using her platform to make sure other women don't have to go through the same "eight years of hell" she describes.
Facts people often miss:
- Somy says Salman sent a maid to spy on her during their relationship.
- She claims her show Fight or Flight was blocked in India because of his influence.
- She has publicly apologized to Sangeeta Bijlani for her role in that 1994 breakup.
- Her memoir is expected to dive even deeper into the "Harvey Weinstein of Bollywood" dynamics.
What this means for fans today
It’s tough for fans. People love Salman Khan’s movies. They love the "Bhai" persona. But Somy Ali’s persistent claims—alongside similar past allegations from other actresses—create a complicated legacy.
Honestly, it’s okay to acknowledge that someone can be a talented actor and also have a very troubled personal history. We don't have to pick a "team." We just have to listen to the stories.
Somy’s journey teaches us that you can start over. You can be the girl who chased a crush across the ocean, lose yourself in a toxic mess, and still come out the other side as a powerhouse of social change.
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If you or someone you know is dealing with a situation that feels more like Somy’s past than a healthy relationship, there are ways out.
Immediate Steps for Support:
- Identify the patterns: Recognize that belittling and physical "passion" are red flags, not signs of love.
- Document everything: If you're planning to leave an abusive situation, keep a record in a safe place.
- Seek professional help: Organizations like No More Tears or local domestic violence hotlines provide resources that go beyond just advice—they provide safety.
- Trust your gut: If a situation feels wrong at 16 or 60, it probably is.
The story of Somy Ali and Salman Khan isn't just celebrity gossip. It’s a long, public lesson in the importance of boundaries and the slow, difficult process of healing.