Why does Indian media celebrate abusers? Somy Ali questions Bigg Boss and the dangerous normalization of violence

Mumbai: Former Bollywood actress and founder of the NGO No More Tears, Somy Ali, is not one to mince her words and always takes a stand against anything she considers wrong. Having seen and survived abuse and violence in her own home, she understands that silence only makes the situation worse. For her, the Indian entertainment industry glorifying and celebrating individuals with a history of violence is beyond frustrating.
“It is deeply disturbing, though sadly not surprising, that Bigg Boss India and its producers, Banijay Asia, continue to normalize abuse by elevating known criminals and domestic abusers into positions of entertainment and authority,” she said.
Somy reflected on the pattern she has witnessed for years. She said, “For years, I’ve watched as the Indian media and entertainment industry turn perpetrators into icons, placing men with records of violence against women on a pedestal while survivors are sidelined, silenced, or vilified. This toxic pattern has led to the re-traumatization of countless survivors who see their abusers, or men just like them, rewarded with fame, power, and money.”

Sharing her frustration over the latest buzz around the popular reality show Bigg Boss, she said, “And now, Bigg Boss is rumored to be bringing in Mike Tyson.”
The reported justification of boosting ratings with an international contestant is something Somy finds dangerous. “Mike Tyson is not just ‘an international celebrity.’ He is also a man convicted of rape, and one who has publicly admitted to violently abusing his then-wife, Robin Givens. His history of assault against women is not speculation, rumor, or tabloid fodder — it is fact. Mike Tyson was convicted of rape,” she said.
“In 1992, he was convicted of raping Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant, in Indianapolis. He was sentenced to six years in prison, of which he served three before being released on parole in 1995,” she added.
She also spoke about Tyson’s past with his ex-wife. “His ex-wife Robin Givens described their marriage (1988–1989) as ‘torture, pure hell’ and spoke publicly about his physical violence. Tyson himself admitted in interviews and in his autobiography that he hit her,” she said.
Somy questioned the priorities of such programming. “So why would one of India’s biggest reality shows, with millions of viewers including impressionable young audiences, choose to glamorize someone with this past? The answer is chillingly simple: ratings over responsibility,” she said.
She believes the larger problem lies in the message being sent out. “This is not the first time Bigg Boss has leaned on scandal and controversy by platforming men with histories of violence. The message it sends to survivors is clear: your trauma doesn’t matter if it gets in the way of our profits. The message it sends to society is even worse: abusers can reinvent themselves as ‘entertainers’ and be rewarded with international platforms, while accountability is conveniently erased,” she said.
Somy’s words come from the perspective of someone who has worked closely with survivors every single day. “As the founder of No More Tears, a nonprofit that has rescued over 50,000 women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals from violent homes, I know the stakes. Every day I meet survivors who are silenced, dismissed, or forced to live with their abusers because society tells them no one will believe them — or worse, no one cares. Shows like Bigg Boss reinforce that toxic lie,” she said.
She minced no words when calling out the decision. “Hiring Mike Tyson isn’t just a poor programming decision — it is a moral failure. It is a betrayal of every survivor who has ever been told to stay quiet. It is a slap in the face to women in India who are already battling a culture of victim-blaming and systemic abuse,” she said.
Her demand is clear. “I call on Banijay Asia and Bigg Boss producers to rethink this reckless move. Entertainment should not come at the cost of re-traumatizing millions of survivors. If you must bring in international celebrities, find those who uplift, inspire, and lead by example — not those who have destroyed lives,” she said.
She believes in raising her voice. “As a survivor myself, I will continue to speak out against this dangerous trend. Indian media has a choice to make: do we celebrate abusers, or do we finally begin to stand with survivors? The world is watching,” Somy concluded.