Zeenat’s courage is inspiring: Somy Ali on her friend Zeenat Aman completing 50 years in Bollywood

Yesteryear

Bollywood actresses Somy Ali and Zeenat Aman

share a truly special bond. The actor-model turned social activist Ali recently took to social media to wish her good friend Zeenat on completing a half-century in Bollywood. Her heartfelt Instagram post speaks volumes about how much she cherishes this friendship. Ali wrote, “A salute to this legend for achieving 50 years of unbelievable success in the Hindi film industry. You gave numerous women a voice, the courage and the audacity to rebel against societal norms. A hero, a legend and forever an idol for me personally. Wish you many many more years of success. #zeenataman #50years #legend #theultimateheroine.”

‘I have always admired Zeenat’
Ali and Zeenat’s friendship goes back to the days when a 16-year-old Ali took a flight to India from Miami to marry Salman Khan, the man of her dreams. She landed in Mumbai and as fate would have it, doors opened for her in the Hindi film industry. In her brief stint in Bollywood, she made a few good friends, Aman being one of them. “I have always admired Zeenat. Apart from the talent and heart, what’s also inspiring about her is her courage. She also had her share of difficult times in her personal life, but the way she faced them and came out stronger gives courage to many,” says Ali, who had earlier revealed that she was sexually abused and had to face domestic violence too. Aman, too, was reportedly a victim of domestic violence in both her marriages.

‘She supports her close ones unconditionally’
Cherishing her bond with the senior actor, Ali adds, “Zeenat has been a constant support to my NGO No More Tears, which works to empower survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. In life, you meet many people and make many friends but some friendships last forever. I feel that kind of connection with her. She is beautiful inside out and loves and supports her close ones unconditionally. What also makes her special is her talent and dedication towards her craft. I hope she creates many more memorable stories on screen and continues doing well in her life and her career.”