Andolan turns 28: Somy Ali remembers becoming close friends with late Divya Bharti, and Sanjay Dutt’s help

Somy Ali starrer Andolan clocks 28 years in 2023 and it does call for a celebration. The film directed by Aziz Sejawal had Govinda and Sanjay Dutt in leading roles did well at the box office. The songs were popular too. Looking back, she remembers making the film, how it helped her Bollywood career and what’s so special about that journey.

“This makes me realise how quickly time flies and how much we should cherish and be grateful for every second we have on this planet. The first time I faced the camera was with Sanju (one of Sanjay Dutt’s nicknames) in Goa with the song, Dil Toh Khoya Hai Yahin Pe Kahin Pe. I will never forget that first shot and how comfortable Sanju made me feel given I was nervous both with excitement and acting as a leading lady with a star I grew up watching. But in the end it turned out to be a beautiful shoot/song all thanks to Sanju for making me feel completely at ease,” says the actor turned humanitarian, who now runs her US based NGO No More Tears.

This film also has bittersweet memories for Somy. The reason being Divya Bharti, who starred opposite Chi Chi (Govinda’s nickname), in the actioner.

“She and I became very close friends during this film’s shooting. I miss her a great deal even today as there was no one more authentic or had the courage to speak the truth than Divya in that industry. Additionally, we lost one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of the 90’s era. I still remember attending her funeral spending time with her mother, who was justifiably beyond broken due to the loss of her daughter. Nonetheless, one can’t change what is written for us and what has been already laid out as a blueprint for our lives. Andolan will always be close to my heart for several reasons from being the first film I shot for, Sanju’s unbelievable humility and the memories I still carry of my amazing and unlike no other friend, Divya,” she adds.