On World Book Day celebrated every year on April 23, former actress and human rights activist, Somy Ali opens up about her unique relationship with books, her deep-rooted love for human psychology, and the unfiltered truths that fuel her NGO work. Though she doesn’t read traditional books due to her relentless travel schedule, Somy has found a trusted companion in audiobooks. “I don’t read books not because I am a simpleton, but because I am always on the road. Thus, Audible is my best friend,” she shares candidly. Her preferred genre? Nonfiction, especially memoirs—stories rooted in lived experience. Topping her list is the late Friends star Matthew Perry’s audiobook Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. “I’ve listened to it over 20 times,” Somy admits. “Firstly because his death had a huge impact on my psyche and secondly because the way he read his own memoir—it felt like he and I were sitting in his living room and he was telling me his life story.”
For her, audiobooks narrated by the authors themselves offer a rare intimacy and truth that’s unmatched. Books—whether read or heard—have undeniably contributed to her personal and professional growth. “I have two mottos,” she says. “Never ever give up on someone that is in need. And learn something new every day or your mind will remain stagnant.” It’s this hunger for knowledge and empathy that sets her apart, especially in an industry she describes as often self-absorbed. “Many in showbiz love their bubbles: the palaces, the pretty people, the shiny objects. They live in fundamental superiority. But not all are like that. There are those who give quietly and live humbly too.” When asked why there are so few books about NGO work, her response is piercing: “Because no one cares and they find them boring. I’m a straight shooter—I don’t sugar coat things.”
According to her, the masses prefer entertainment over uncomfortable truths. “People would much rather watch fiction or tales of love than read about war, conflict, or NGO work. They don’t want to confront real pain or history. That’s why history and religious texts fascinate me. I’ve read them all—from the Quran to the Bible to the Geeta—not because I’m religious, but because I believe in science, and I want to understand how belief systems are formed.” Somy is known for her bold statements and her equally bold actions. As the founder of No More Tears, an NGO rescuing victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking, she understands the paradox of altruism. “We are innately built with selfishness. There’s no such thing as a good deed. People help others to feel good. When I rescue a child or a woman, it helps me heal from my own past.” Her critically acclaimed documentary Fight or Flight showcased her NGO work on screen, but Somy believes it’s time for the truth to hit the page. “Absolutely! I would love my NGO work to be documented in a book. It’s time to burst some bubbles!”
