Somy Ali Shares Unforgettable Behind-the-Scenes Memories from Her 1997 Film Chupp with Om Puri and Jeetendra

For Somy Ali, the 1997 thriller Chupp might have had what she calls a “dreadful script,” but it left her with a treasure trove of memories she cherishes to this day. The actress, now known for her US-based NGO No More Tears, recently shared a heartfelt throwback on Instagram, recalling moments with her legendary co-stars Om Puri and Jeetendra, as well as the lessons and laughter they brought to the set.

In her post, Somy revealed that Chupp was a remake of Kakaji’s classic Itefaq and was one of those rare art films with no songs or dance numbers, something she found exciting at the time. “Oh boy! This #tbt has way too many fun stories in spite of it being a dreadful script,” she wrote with a mix of humor and affection. “It was an art film meaning no songs and dances! Yippee!!!!”

One of the most endearing memories she shared involved the late Om Puri, who played a menacing character in the film. Before filming an intense scene where he had to rock her back and forth on a chair, Om Puri was casually teaching her how to cook the perfect biryani. “I was literally jotting down the recipe,” Somy recalled, laughing at the contrast between his off-camera warmth and on-screen cruelty.

She also recounted one of her most challenging moments on set — climbing down in a yellow sari despite suffering from vertigo. “It was nothing short of an Oscar deserving performance,” she said proudly. “I was scared to death, but refused a body double. Yay! Me!” This glimpse into her grit and determination shows the effort she put into making the scene believable, despite her very real fear.

Jeetendra, fondly called Jeetu ji, brought his own share of memorable moments. Somy revealed that she had to learn to drive a manual car just a week before the shoot because her own car was being used in the movie. Coming from the US, where she was used to automatics, this was no small feat. “Jeetu ji kept trying to calm me down and tell me when to shift the gears,” she wrote. “It was quite a rocky road (pun intended). I know he was more scared of my driving than I was scared of getting in a crash with Jeetu ji. Crazy times!”

Somy also took a moment to praise her co-star Avinash, calling him “one of the most brilliant and natural actors” she had worked with. But beyond the laughter and tense moments, what stood out for her was the kindness of her co-actors. “Jeetu ji would sit me down and give me life advice many a time right before ‘action.’ Om ji was cracking jokes throughout the film and kept asking me if he was too harsh while pulling my hair or hurting me. And I kept saying no to an extent where we would burst out into laughter in the middle of a shot.”

Looking back, Somy Ali said she would never forget the way these icons made her feel respected and cared for. “They were not only kind, but genuinely asked how I was doing each shoot day, and they weren’t just exchanging pleasantries.” For her, Chupp may not have been a blockbuster, but it became a personal milestone — a project filled with camaraderie, laughter, and unforgettable bonds.