Sonam (actress)

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.[1][2]

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.[4] 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 soon had a son, Gaurav Rai. However they later divorced.

During the period when bollywood was in the grip of the underworld mafia, Sonam came under pressure from gangster Abu Salem, who had previously had some dealings with her.[4] 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.[5] 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 pursue their respective careers in India.[6] In 2016, after 15 years of separation, Sonam and Rajiv Rai finally divorced.[2]

• Sonam at IMDb
• Sonam at Bollywood Hungama