The announcement of Egyptian artist Abdel Rahman Abu Zahra about his depression and his retirement thinking a few days ago was shocking to his fans, during an intervention with the program "The Ninth Studio" presented by the journalist Wael El-Ibrashi, stressing that the reason behind this idea was that the directors ignored him, whether in terms of drama or cinema.
He added that the roles offered to him in recent years are nothing but honorary roles that are not worthy of his talent or his history, and if he had agreed to them before that for his continued presence on the scene, he does not intend to repeat that anymore.
Before finishing his speech, he asked the directors to treat him like new faces, who give them large spaces and roles despite their lack of experience, and announced his desire to play a comic role, expressing his mastery of comedy and that it is only what will bring him out of depression.
Abdel Rahman Abu Zahra, consider
me a new face and try me 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZVMitCtGJM
- Behind The Scene (@behindzascene) July 16, 2020
The public supports Abu Zahra
As soon as these statements came to light, a large team of fans and stars appeared in support of Abu Zahra, who expressed their love and respect for his talent and long journey that lasted for more than 60 years, during which he presented many unforgettable works.
The same thing was presented to him by his fellow artists, including the star Hassan Youssef, who blamed Abu Zahra for his despair, and demanded him not to surrender or retire as long as he still has what gives him to art, stressing that whoever does not ask him to work with him is the loser, especially that any veteran artist is an addition to the work And experience for young people.
Abu Zahra is not the only one who no longer works or offers him new roles, so Hassan Hassan himself, Izzat Al-Alayli, Youssef Shaaban, Hussein Fahmy and others like him.
The Outcast Lion
However, matters did not only turn to the stream of emotional enthusiasm on which the comments of many artists appeared, but actress Afaf Mustafa launched an attack on Abu Zahra via a post on her personal account on Facebook, as she stated that he used to direct harsh criticism of artists, especially young and beginners, in addition to his interference In directing and producing affairs, which made him a source of nuisance in the filming location.
Soon her publication caused great controversy, which invited Dr. Ashraf Zaki, Captain of the Actors, to contact her and ask her to delete what she wrote, and although she did what was requested of her, the impact of the publication spread more than before, then other testimonies began to appear, some of which were in closed art groups and came From young stars or workers behind the scenes, they affirmed the testimony of Afaf Mustafa, and even announced other situations during which the difficult character of Abu Zahra appeared, according to their testimonies.
Everything that an actress writes needs on the authority of Abd al-Rahman Abu Zahra al-Bust sits at no time for hours. What is this intellectual terrorism? Ahh pic.twitter.com/RINL2kpRED
- Basant Maximus (@BassantMaximus) July 18, 2020
Actress Moataza Salah Abdel-Sabour decided to declare her negative experience with the actor himself in public, confirming that he deliberately bullied her, and it did not take long for her publication to be deleted as well, which provoked the audience, which considered this to be a confiscation of freedom of opinion.
At the same time, the audience circulated leaflets stating that there is a difference between the artist’s personality as a person and his acting talent, even if Abu Zahra was a bad person as the two stars stated, this does not negate the size of his talent and what he adds to the work that appears during it, even if it is an animation that will not be presented with it. Only perform acoustically. The biggest example of this is the role of "Scar" which he presented in the movie "The Lion King" many years ago and is still stuck in the minds of adults and children.
For his part, the author supported Medhat Al-Adl, Abu Zahra, describing it as a great residency and a person of creation and talent, and that everyone who tries to harm him after his recent statements is only willing to fame and draw attention.
The union refuses to offend the symbols
With all the controversy and arrogance raised, the Syndicate of Acting Professions did not seem to have issued a statement during which it clarified that the able artist Abdul Rahman Abu Zahra has always been one of the symbols of the art of Arab acting, especially since he presented many difficult and inspiring roles in theater, cinema and television.
Before the union confirms that it will not accept any insult on Egypt's artistic symbols, either by direct statement or just a hint, and whoever contradicts that will be held accountable, declaring its full solidarity with Abu Zahra, believing that he is the owner of an honorable history that does not accept suspicion or underestimation.
This is what resulted in the actress Afaf Mustafa returning today to write a new publication, during which she apologized to Abu Zahra, and affirmed that it is of value, stature and history. This has aroused the dissatisfaction of the pioneers of the communication platforms, even the fans of the star themselves, for their refusal to quarantine the union on the opinions of the artists and put pressure on them and perhaps threats, even if what they say is the truth just because it is negative.