In a recent interview, he discussed why the MeToo movement is struggling to gain the same momentum in India as it has in other parts of the world.
Reflecting on the movement, Somy Ali, in an interview with Hindustan Times, highlighted the case of Tanushree Dutta, one of the prominent figures who spoke out during the MeToo wave in India. He pointed out that his close friend, model Diandra Soares, also came to the fore during this period. But according to Somy, social and cultural factors in India create a much more challenging environment for victims to express their opinions openly than in countries like the United States.
He drew parallels between situations in India and the long struggles for justice faced by survivors in America. He noted that it took almost two decades for people to publicly denounce high-profile figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Cosby. Similarly, it took Hollywood actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd 18 years to disclose their experiences of harassment. Somy Ali believes it will likely take longer to achieve justice for MeToo victims in India and Pakistan due to deeply ingrained social stigmas and fears.
To illustrate the widespread fear and reluctance to speak openly, Somy Ali mentioned the infamous case of OJ Simpson, who was widely believed to be guilty of murdering his wife and friend but avoided conviction due to various factors, including fear of public opinion. He emphasized that Simpson’s eventual incarceration for an unrelated crime (stealing memorabilia) was a form of justice delayed. Commenting on the same, he even used SRK’s dialogue to support his point. He said, “Shah Rukh Khan always says, if things go wrong or don’t happen as per our plans then imagine abhi baaki hai (the show is not over yet).”
