Somy Ali is elated with the response around her comeback project Flight Or Fight: I can’t believe the response we are getting

Somy Ali’s starring docu-series Flight Or Fight on Discovery+ has been receiving humongous response. The actor turned humanitarian feels her comeback to screen could have been any better than this. For the uninitiated, Somy now runs her Miami based NGO, No More Tears, that works for the betterment of women and children - Jyothi Venkatesh

“I faced the camera after 22 years, but it felt different than acting in a Hindi film as I had the liberty to be me, just literally be Somy,” she smiles.

About the response, she adds, “I can’t believe the response we are getting from all over the United States. People are donating like crazy and buying our t-shirts in support.

Many victims are sharing their stories and we have had only three episodes air thus far. The response has been shocking and that too for a docu series, which is completely unscripted,” she says.

Somy reveals her wish to go behind the camera. The success has motivated her to take the plunge soon.

“I am keen to direct as my educational background is psychology, broadcast journalism and film. Additionally, I have been wanting to direct a script that I have been working on for three years and I am unsure if there is an actor or actress who would be willing to get involved in the subject as it’s quite controversial, but extremely timely.

I won't say more about it right now, not unless I receive an email of one showing interest or at least some curiosity,” she adds.

Ask if she felt nervous while shooting on the first day and she replies “Not at all. But yes, it did feel a little weird as I am used to working alone except when I rescue the victims with the police or in sex-trafficking cases the FBI agents are there to help.

But after a week it felt like the crew was not even there and I went along my day as usual,” she says. Somy voices support the OTT culture. She agrees that the OTT boom is here to say.

“It has opened many doors for actors and filmmakers to be bolder than back in the day when they were unable to do so.

The entire system of storytelling has manifested into something rather unique where actors are uninhibited and so are filmmakers. This is the right time for both artists and makers to come out and showcase their work,” she adds.

Somy consumes content on OTT. “I mostly watch documentaries due to the field I am in professionally. And, I have to stay completely abreast with current events as an activist, thus news from reliable sources is a necessity.

I do enjoy art films and recently watched Gangubai Kathiawadi. I was totally dumbfounded by Alia’s performance, the script and Sanjay’s direction. It is an extraordinary film, Sanjay never disappoints,” she says.

So if Bhansali or Aditya Chopra or Karan Johar offers you a role, will you take up? “I respect all of them immensely and their art as it’s priceless in their own forms.

I follow films that come highly recommended to me by my friends who are aware of the genre I veer towards.

Again, I would rather direct than act unless there is a significantly unconventional role and a script. It’s all contingent upon what we can introduce the viewers to that they have not already seen,” she adds.

Sharing her plans of coming to India soon, she shares that at the moment she is on a three year contract bound with Discovery +.

“But there will be time off after this first season and I will certainly take advantage of that time and go to Mumbai to revisit a few places and people I have not seen in years,” she sounds nostalgic.