MUMBAI: Actor Somy Ali, who will be turning a year older on March 25 says, believes today there is less discrimination towards women age-wise. The actor, who has been part of films like “Anth”, “Krishan Avtaar”, “Aao Pyaar Karen” and runs a non-profit organization named No More Tears (NMT), says every year she is rising upward as a person. “I think times have changed significantly now and the mindsets are changing in terms of women getting older. There is progress for sure and less age discrimination, but again with everything related to women, we have a long way to go,” Somy says. “I do know that with each year, I grow emotionally and feel like I understand the human species a bit better in terms of why we do the things we do, good and bad,” she adds. Talking about her birthday plans, every year, Somy said she celebrates her special day with few close friends at an Indian restaurant and spends time with her NMT survivors.

“NMT survivors always want to see me on my birthday. It’s a very emotional celebration to cut a cake with these women, children and men who NMT has rescued. Nothing beats that ritual,” says an emotional Somy. However this year, owing to the present scenario of the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, Somy said there will be no birthday party as such. But she will be cutting a cake with her NMT survivors and spending quality time with her younger brother, who is flying from LA to be with her. Sharing her fondest birthday celebration, Somy recalls, having well-known Pakistani singer Alamgir Haq singing some of his hit songs for her birthday party. “It was my 6th birthday and my dad arranged a famous pop singer in Pakistan, Alamgir, to come and sing some of his hits. I was very excited and gloating because my friends were so impressed to see him there,” Somy, who is born in Pakistan, says. We wish Somy a very happy birthday!