The highly anticipated Egyptian film Al Hawa Sultan, starring acclaimed actors Menna Shalabi and Ahmed Dawood, made a remarkable debut at the Egyptian
The highly anticipated Egyptian film Al Hawa Sultan, starring acclaimed actors Menna Shalabi and Ahmed Dawood, made a remarkable debut at the Egyptian box office, garnering an impressive EGP 742,529 on its opening day, Wednesday. The film, which intricately weaves themes of love and friendship within a social context, has quickly become the talk of the town, captivating viewers and sparking widespread discussion on social media platforms.
Joining Shalabi and Dawood in this cinematic endeavor are Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Jihan El Shamashergy, and the legendary Sawsan Badr. The film is both penned and directed by Hiba Yousry, who skillfully balances storytelling with deep emotional engagement. Al Hawa Sultan follows the journey of a young woman and man who have been close friends since childhood, navigating life’s ups and downs with their friends and families. Unexpected developments challenge their bond, leading to a series of compelling and heartfelt events.
This film marks the second collaboration between Dawood and Shalabi, following their previous success in The Water, the Greenery, and the Pleasant Face. Director Hiba Yousry expressed her gratitude and admiration for Shalabi’s commitment and support throughout the production, noting on Facebook, “Menna’s involvement and encouragement were invaluable, especially under the pressures we faced during filming.”
Yousry also praised Dawood, referring to him as “a gift from God,” adding, “Now I understand why everyone loves Ahmed Dawood so much. He is a believer and deeply trusts in God’s plan.”
The movie’s release generated positive reactions across social media, drawing praise for its storytelling and authentic portrayal of emotions. Esteemed filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah shared a photo of the film’s main cast on Facebook, commending the screenplay, direction, and performances. He wrote, “Finally… an Egyptian film that genuinely portrays love and emotions in a mature, sincere, and contemporary manner, with an endearing touch.”
Nasrallah extended his congratulations to Hiba Yousry, Menna Shalabi, Ahmed Dawood, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, and Jihan El Shamashergy for their exceptional work. Similarly, actress Engy El Mokadem posted a photo from the premiere on Instagram, describing the film as “delightful and beautiful,” and expressed her admiration for the heartfelt performances.
On platform X (formerly Twitter), viewers shared clips and reactions, with one user writing, “Al Hawa Sultan is so captivating. I’ve been filled with joy since watching it yesterday.” Another commented, “This film is so genuine and beautiful.”
Adding to the film’s success, the official soundtrack song “Ana Min Gheirak” by Bahaa Sultan has garnered widespread attention, reaching over 1.3 million views on YouTube within days of its release. The song features lyrics by Menna El Kaiey, composed by Aziz El Shafie, with music arrangement by Nader Hamdy, and directed by Hiba Yousry.
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