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Sonam (actress)
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Sonam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bakhtavar Khan Born 02/09/1972 India |
| Other names | Sonam |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1988–1994 |
| Spouse(s) | Rajiv Rai (1991-2016 Divorced)
( m. 2017) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Raza Murad (uncle) Murad (grandfather) Sanober Kabir (first-cousin) |
Bakhtavar Khan (born 2 September 1972) is a former Indian film actress, better known by her screenname Sonam. She is the niece of actor Raza Murad and granddaughter of veteran actor Murad. She primarily worked for Bollywood films.
Career[edit]
Sonam was named by her parents (Mushir Khan - father and Talat Khan- Mother) as "Bakhtavar". "Sonam" is her screen-name, which is reportedly coined by Yash Chopra to be more marketable in the Indian film industry.
She first entered into the Bollywood industry after being launched by Yash Chopra in the 1988 film Vijay. She shot to fame with the 1989 film Tridev where the popular song Oye Oye...Tirchi Topi Wale was picturised on her and established her as a sex symbol. She was frequently paired with actors like Chunky Pandey, Govinda and Naseeruddin Shah. Some of her notable films include Mitti Aur Sona, Aakhri Ghulam, Lashkar, Kroadh, Ajooba and Vishwatma. She also appeared in regional films. She married director Rajiv Rai in 1991 and declared that she was quitting films. She appeared in over 30 films from 1988 through to 1994.
Personal life[edit]
In 1991, Sonam married director Rajiv Rai, who had directed her in two very successful films, Tridev and Vishwatma. Rajiv was the son of successful film producer Gulshan Rai, founder of the banner Trimurti Films. Whereas Sonam was a Muslim, Rajiv and his family were Hindus from Punjab. After marriage, Sonam quit acting and devoted herself to her family. The couple were soon blessed with a son, Gaurav Rai.
During the period when bollywood was in the grip of the (muslim) underworld mafia, Sonam came under pressure from gangster Abu Salem, who had previously had some dealings with her. In 1997, she had to leave India with her husband and son after an attempt was made on her husband's life by gunmen working for organized crime leader Abu Salem.[1] The couple moved initially to Los Angeles and then settled in Switzerland for nearly two decades. However, the marriage deteriorated because of the troubles being faced by them from the underworld, and professional frustrations which both of them underwent because they could not purdue their respective careers in India.[2] Sonam and her husband began living separately in 2001, but both of them were devoted to Gaurav and did not divorce until he was settled in life. In 2016, after 15 years of separation, Sonam and Rajiv Rai finally divorced. In 2017, Sonam married Dr. Murli Poduval, a Hindu businessman, and moved back to Mumbai, where the couple now live.
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Samrat | Telugu | |
| 1988 | Vijay | Hindi | |
| Aakhri Adaalat | Hindi | ||
| Mugguru Kodukulu | Telugu | ||
| 1989 | Aakhri Ghulam | Hindi | |
| Aakhri Baazi | Hindi | ||
| Tridev | Hindi | ||
| Mitti Aur Sona | Hindi | ||
| Sachai Ki Taqat | Hindi | ||
| Asmaan Se Ooncha | Hindi | ||
| Gola Barood | Hindi | ||
| Hum Bhi Insaan Hain | Hindi | ||
| 1990 | Kroadh | Hindi | |
| Naakabandi | Sonia | Hindi | |
| Mandira | Bengali | ||
| Chor Pe Mor | Hindi | ||
| Aaj Ke Shahenshah | Hindi | ||
| Kodama Simham | Telugu | ||
| Apmaan Ki Aag | Hindi | ||
| Shera Shamshera | Hindi | ||
| 1991 | Raiszaada | Hindi | |
| Swarg Jaisaa Ghar | Hindi | ||
| Ajooba | Hindi | ||
| Dushman Devta | Hindi | ||
| Fateh | Hindi | ||
| Ajooba Kudrat Ka | Hindi | ||
| Do Matwale | Hindi | ||
| 1992 | Vishwatma | Hindi | |
| Baaz | Hindi | ||
| 1993 | Police Wala | Hindi | |
| 1994 | Insaniyat | Hindi |
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Sonam on IMDb
- Sonam at Bollywood Hungama
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