The recent Hema Committee Report has unleashed a storm in the Malayalam film industry, revealing shocking cases of sexual exploitation. But the fallout isn’t confined to Mollywood. Former Bollywood actress Somy Ali has stepped into the spotlight, making startling claims about Salman Khan and the so-called ‘family men’ of Bollywood.
In a candid interview with the Hindustan Times, Ali, who was active in Bollywood during the late 1990s, shared her own traumatic experiences within a system that systematically silenced women and protected abusers. She drew a striking comparison between her time in Bollywood and the current scandal in Mollywood, suggesting that the glamour of Bollywood masks a deeply ingrained misogyny.
Ali described witnessing numerous aspiring actresses trying to discreetly leave hotel rooms after being exploited by influential men. She named some of Bollywood’s leading figures who present themselves as paragons of virtue. “I’ve seen women, distressed and disheveled, leaving hotel suites early in the morning after being exploited by men who portray themselves as devoted family men,” she said. “The level of hypocrisy is unbelievable. The very men who publicly condemn such behavior are often the ones who perpetuate it.”
Her comments took a personal turn as she recounted her nine-year relationship with Salman Khan, describing it as one of emotional abuse and public humiliation. Ali revealed the harsh realities of her time with Khan, saying, “The eight years with him were the worst of my life. He belittled me constantly, called me names, and made me feel worthless. The public image he maintained as a loving family man was nothing like the reality I lived through,” she told NDTV.
Ali had previously alluded to her troubled relationship with Khan in cryptic social media posts, which she has since deleted. In her recent interview, she accused Khan of treating her with contempt and hiding his true nature behind a public facade. “Salman never acknowledged our relationship publicly for years, and when he finally did, it was only to demean me in front of others. His cruel treatment of me pushed me to seek affection elsewhere,” she added.
Ali’s revelations come at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the Mollywood scandal. Her decision to speak out sheds light on the broader issues of exploitation and hypocrisy within the entertainment industry, challenging the public personas of those who have long been seen as paragons of virtue. As the fallout from these revelations continues, the spotlight on Bollywood’s elite and their duplicity is sharper than ever. Ali’s courage in sharing her story forces a critical examination of the ‘family men’ who have maintained their public image while secretly perpetuating abuses.