Sonam Khan

Some Lesser Known Facts Sonam Khan

• Sonam hails from a middle-class family. When she was young, she aspired to be a teacher or an air hostess. Sonam ventured into the film industry to support her family as she was the only child.

• Due to starting to work in the film industry young, Sonam did not have to go to school.

• Sonam’s mother passed away in 1999 and my dad in 2001. She lost both of her parents in a span of two years.

• Sonam changed her name in order to enter the film industry. Her birth name was Bakhtawar, and it is a popular name for boys in Punjabi. The name stuck with the audience.

  

• Sonam made her debut in the year 1988 at the age of 13 years only but she rose to the limelight in 1989 with the film ‘Tridev’. The song “Oye Oye…Tirchi Topiwale..” from the movie became a hit at the time and was on everybody’s mind.

  

• Producers used to pamper Sonam with chocolates before she gave any shot as they all knew how young she was.

• Sonam married her first husband, Rajiv Rai, a writer and director who directed her famed movies Tridev and Vishwatma.

  

• After starring in several films, Sonam’s career gained momentum, bringing her both fame and fortune. She was at the peak of her career when she surprised everyone by marrying director Rajiv Rai. Their relationship began during the filming of Tridev, and after dating for 3 years, they got married in 1991. Sonam was 18 years old at the time of their marriage, while her husband Rajiv Rai was 18 years her senior. Sonam once mentioned that Yash Chopra had advised her against getting married as he believed she had a promising future. As a result of her marriage, Sonam had to forgo roles in Yash Raj’s ‘Aaina’ and Feroz Khan’s ‘Yalgaar’, both of which went on to become successful films.

• After marrying Rajive at the age of 18, Sonam had to leave the film industry and flee to initially Los Angeles but then settle in Europe. They had to flee and relocate as there was a failed attempt to kill Rajiv by Bombay-based gangster, Abu Salem.

• They lived for almost two and half decades in Europe together but the marriage was not a smooth sailing boat for Sonam and Rajiv.

• Sonam wanted to make a comeback in the film industry during their marriage but Rajiv opposed it, although he would still continue to direct movies.

• Sonam was offered the female lead role opposite Salman Khan in ‘Baaghi’, but she refused. She also turned down the movie ‘Lootere’. She had decided to start a new life, but now she wishes she had taken up the offer for ‘Baaghi’. She has a lot of respect for Salman Khan and is a big fan of his.

• Sonam had her child before the age of 20.

  

• Sonam had to travel and move a lot because of the treatment for her son who was diagnosed with autism in childhood.

  

• In the year 2016, Sonam parted ways and divorced Rajiv. The reasons were not made public.

• After the divorce, her son lives with her but does meet his dad whenever Rajiv is in town. Although Sonam does not like to keep in contact with Rajiv and if not for her son she would have divorced him sooner.

• She met her second husband, Murali in Pondecry and they became good friends. He was also her support during her divorce from Rajiv.

• Sonam and Murali married in Ooty.

  

• Sonam does wish to make a comeback in the film industry but does not aim for the silver screen. She wishes to try the OTT platform as for her it does not have a hero or heroin but characters.

• Sonam used to model for magazines like Filmfare.  She was famous for being the bikini girl of Bollywood.

  

• Sonam considers Sridevi to be her best friend in the film industry.

  

• Sonam loves to collect stylish shoes, heels, and bags.

  

• Sonam is the niece of actor Raza Murad and great-niece of veteran actor Murad.

• Sonam has appeared next to legends of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan, Chunky Pandey, Govinda, Naseeruddin Shah, and Chiranjeevi.