On World Music Day 2026, former actress and dedicated humanitarian Somy Ali offered a deeply personal reflection on the transformative power of music. Known for her work in films during the 1990s and her ongoing activism through the NGO No More Tears in the US, Ali described music not simply as entertainment but as a vital source of strength and emotional survival during her most difficult periods.
“Music has been my silent witness and my greatest healer,” Ali shared with striking honesty. “When I had no words left, music spoke for me. It held my pain when I was too broken to carry it alone. It reminded me that I was still alive even when I felt dead inside. Music didn’t just entertain me. It saved me. It became the language through which I could feel again, hope again, and slowly, begin to heal.”
Ali’s musical preferences bridge two distinct worlds that together address different facets of human experience. She draws resilience from the raw power of American rock, particularly Bon Jovi, while finding profound emotional solace in classic Bollywood melodies, especially those featuring Rajesh Khanna’s evocative performances voiced by Kishore Kumar. “I find myself moving between two very different worlds. There is the raw, powerful energy of Bon Jovi that gives me strength and reminds me to keep fighting. And then there is the deeply emotional, almost spiritual music associated with Rajesh Khanna, which touches the most fragile parts of my soul,” she explained. “One gives me the courage to stand, the other gives me permission to feel.”
When discussing songs that provide comfort, Ali emphasised that healing often involves acknowledging pain rather than avoiding it. However, one track consistently offers hope during her darkest times. “If I had to choose one that gives me hope when everything feels dark, it would be ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi. It reminds me that even when you have nothing, if you keep going, something shifts. It has carried me through nights when I truly didn’t know how I would survive the next day,” she revealed.
Her connection to Bollywood classics runs especially deep. Ali frequently returns to older songs for their honesty and emotional authenticity. She singled out Kishore Kumar’s rendition of “Zindagi Ka Safar” from a Rajesh Khanna film as particularly meaningful. Quoting the lyrics, she reflected, “Zindagi ka safar hai yeh kaisa safar, koi samjha nahin, koi jaana nahin.” Ali described the song as prophetic, noting how it captured life’s uncertainties even at the peak of Khanna’s stardom. “When Rajesh Khanna sang those words, he was at the absolute peak of his career... Yet the song already carried that wisdom. It understood that life is uncertain, mysterious, and often unfair,” she observed.
Having met Rajesh Khanna personally on a few occasions, Ali was struck by the depth of feeling in his eyes and performances. “Rajesh Khanna’s songs, and therefore Kishore Kumar Ji, will always be my favorite. Not just as a singer, but as an artist and a human being... His songs spoke about life in ways that only someone who has truly suffered and loved can understand,” she recalled.
For Ali, these tracks resonate strongly because of her own journey through highs and lows. “For someone like me, who has also seen extreme highs and devastating lows, this song feels like a gentle warning and a strange kind of comfort. It reminds me that none of us are fully in control of this journey,” she said. Currently, her playlist revolves around “Zindagi Ka Safar” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which together provide balance — one offering acceptance of life’s mysteries and the other inspiring perseverance.
Somy Ali’s candid reflections on World Music Day highlight music’s universal capacity to heal, validate emotions, and foster resilience. Her insights, drawn from personal experience across cultures and life stages, underscore how songs can serve as companions through adversity and catalysts for hope. In an age of rapidly changing musical trends, her appreciation for both rock anthems and timeless Bollywood melodies reminds audiences of the enduring emotional truth found in authentic artistry.
As Ali continues her humanitarian efforts, her openness about music’s role in her life adds authenticity to her public voice. It illustrates how creative expressions — whether energetic rock or soul-stirring melodies — help individuals process pain, find strength, and move forward with grace. On this World Music Day, her message resonates as a powerful testament to music’s quiet yet profound ability to mend broken spirits and illuminate life’s uncertain path.
