Somy Ali belives that music and dance play an integral role in lifting spirits and helping people heal!

On the occasion of World Dance Day, actress-turned-activist Somy Ali opens up about the profound significance dance and music have held in her life—not just as an artist, but as someone deeply invested in mental health.

“Dance and music are so significant that they’re actually used as therapy for patients battling depression,” says Somy, who holds a master’s degree in psychology. Recalling her time working in a psychiatric ward during her academic training, she shares, “That’s where I witnessed firsthand how music and dance play an integral role in lifting spirits and helping people heal. It was eye-opening and incredibly humbling.”

For Somy, the influence of dance began in her childhood, deeply rooted in the cinematic icons of her mother’s era. “Songs from Rekha ji’s movies still move me, but it was Zeenat Aman in Qurbani that left an everlasting impression,” she fondly recalls. “The song ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ by Nazia Hassan was everything. Zeenat was stunning in that number. And of course, Parveen Babi and Zeenat were the ultimate sex symbols when I was growing up.”

She reminisces about watching Qurbani repeatedly and dancing to that iconic track. “It takes me back to a time of innocence and wonder,” she shares, adding that she was also fortunate to have spent time with the film’s legendary star Vinod Khanna and his wife Kavita during a shoot in Rajasthan.

When asked about her favorite dancers in Bollywood, Somy doesn’t hesitate: “Rekha ji, Zeenat, Meenakshi, and Madhuri—each one of them mastered their own dance styles. But Madhuri? She’s a class apart. Her versatility across classical and western forms is unmatched. And when it comes to male dancers, no one touches Hrithik Roshan. He’s just extraordinary.”

Reflecting on her own Bollywood days, Somy reveals that Chaiyya Chaiyya, the iconic number featuring Malaika Arora and Shah Rukh Khan, was her go-to dance track. “I used to play it on repeat in the gym. It’s a great workout track and a major mood lifter. Mala was incredible in that song, and of course, Shah Rukh—my favorite actor—brought perfection to it.”

Even today, Chaiyya Chaiyya remains her all-time favorite dance number. “It brings me so much joy and nostalgia. The lyrics, the composition—everything about it makes you want to get up and dance. It’s a reminder of a very happy time in my life.”

By Keerti Kadam