Actor Amr Gamal Talks About His New Beginning

SadaNews - Artist Amr Gamal continues to cement his position as one of the prominent faces in contemporary Egyptian drama, after recently attracting attention with his participation in the story "Just You," part of the series "What You See Is Not As It Seems," which has gained widespread popularity and significant interaction on social media since its launch.

The work, which brought him together with artist Tara Emad in a new duo, presented a different image of the romantic journalist character surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, a role that Gamal considers a significant milestone in his career, describing it as a "new beginning with the audience."

In his conversation with "Al-Arabiya.net," Gamal revealed details of his choice to participate in the work and his reading of the script. He also discussed the features of the character "Suleiman," which he portrayed, and how he prepared for it through discussions with director Jamal Khazim, benefiting from his previous experiences and knowledge of the nature of the journalistic and media environment. He also talked about audience reactions, filming behind-the-scenes, and his upcoming works.

Attraction from the First Moment

The artist confirmed that his participation in the story "Just You" from the series "What You See Is Not As It Seems" came after producer Karim Abu Dhakri presented the script to him, noting that he was attracted to the work from the first moment.

Gamal added that the timing of receiving the script coincided with a discussion he had with one of his director friends about a concept close to the story's theme, which made him consider it a sign to participate.

Regarding the details of the character he portrayed, the artist explained that he plays the role of "Suleiman," the deputy editor-in-chief of a newspaper, who has a romantic relationship with the journalist "Sara," played by Tara Emad.

He pointed out that the role is a blend of realism and romance, in an atmosphere full of mystery and suspense. He indicated that he prepared for the character through intense working sessions with director Khazim, in addition to employing his previous experiences and his familiarity with the media world.

Deeper Scenes

Gamal clarified that he did not resort this time to direct sessions with journalists, but he was not far from the atmosphere of the profession due to his friendships in the media field and previous experiences in which he portrayed a character related to this domain. He confirmed that this background helped him approach the character's details with greater ease.

About the behind-the-scenes work with artist Tara, Gamal said that this is not their first experience together, as they previously collaborated in the series "Suits Arabic." However, he stressed that the challenge was greater this time due to the deeper shared scenes. He noted that he appreciates Tara's talent, believing that having a talented actor in front of him makes him more creative in his performance.

Concerning reactions to the work, he confirmed that audience interaction exceeded his expectations, adding that the role gave him the opportunity to showcase new aspects of his performance that he had not been able to in his previous works, considering this work a different beginning for his relationship with the audience.

Gamal talked about his collaboration with director Khazim, revealing that his feeling of comfort since the first meeting with the director was the key to the success of the experience, as the director gave him ample space for experimentation and creativity. He explained that the atmosphere behind the scenes was comfortable and enjoyable.

The Era of Fast Scenes

Regarding his view on competition in the artistic field, Gamal stated that competition does not suit art. He acts because he loves acting, and all that matters to him is being honest with himself and the audience, emphasizing that every work for him is a new opportunity to learn and develop.

Concerning short series, Gamal explained that he is a strong supporter of them, considering that the current era is the era of fast scenes that seek an intense story without prolongation. He noted that "Just You" is clear evidence of the success of this type.

Regarding his upcoming projects, Gamal revealed that he recently finished filming a series titled "Jad Jadid," a joint production between Egypt and Saudi Arabia that includes a group of young talents from both countries.

He mentioned that he is betting on the work in terms of concept and visuals, adding that he is also preparing for a new film of his own writing, which is in the final arrangement stage with a producer and director who are excited about the idea.