With a career spanning decades across music, film, and television, Egyptian-Armenian artist Anoushka remains one of the region’s most versatile performers.

From commanding the stage as a singer to portraying complex women on screen, she has long defied easy categorization.

In the hit Ramadan 2025 drama W Teqabel Habib (Then You Meet a Lover), Anoushka played Iglal, a powerful matriarch with a strong presence and a morally ambiguous past.

The character sparked discussion not only for her icy authority but also for the emotional depth Anoushka brought to the screen.

In this conversation with Ahram Online, Anoushka reflects on what drew her to the role, and on how she’s now turning her attention back to the music she’s missed.

Ahram Online (AO): The character of Iglal, the matriarch of the Abu Al-Azem family in the series W Teqabel Habib, is very complex and has dominant villain characteristics. What attracted you to this role?

Anoushka (A): Initially, I was very hesitant and refused to accept the role. The character required extensive study to present her in a way that differs significantly from any villainous role I had played before.

But when I met the scriptwriter Amr Mahmoud Yassin, he convinced me to take it.

I began looking at Iglal differently. I was also drawn to the series, finding in it all the essential components of a good production. It has a great cast and a very good crew—especially the scriptwriter and director, Mohamed Hamdy El-Khabeeri. I felt that it was going to be a successful artistic project.

AO: You managed to capture Iglal’s character with captivating authenticity. How did you prepare yourself for that role?

A: I studied the role thoroughly and held many intensive working sessions with the series’ writer and director. I gained a deep understanding of the character.

Also, I always like to leave my personal mark on any character I play.

I became increasingly attached to Iglal throughout filming and grew more aligned with her character.

I continue receiving positive feedback about the series, which makes me very happy.

AO: It seems you are often cast in the roles of villainous women…

A: Directors usually prefer casting me in such roles, but I always try to renew and diversify my characters.

I also see that Iglal differs from any other character I’ve played. I don’t view her as evil, necessarily, but more as a victim of a particular upbringing that shaped her personality, culture, and bad temper.

The same applies to my role as Kismet Hanem in Grand Hotel (2016)—although she was also considered malicious, my understanding of her is different.

Whether Iglal or Kismet, they are both mothers who love their children deeply and want to do their best to protect the family unit, regardless of their methods.

AO: Did you sympathize more with Iglal by the end of the series, or do you think she deserved her fate?

A: Yes, I greatly sympathized with her, and I really admire the ending. The series finale summarized the entire story and wrapped up Iglal’s character.

It also conveyed strong messages, which I like in any series.

One key message is the powerful role of a mother, who is always at the forefront of her children’s lives. Children should appreciate their mothers because, in the end, she is the one who raised and cared for them the most.

Another message concerns the emotions people experience. No matter how wealthy, powerful, or influential a person is, it doesn’t stop them from having real feelings.

Despite all the hardships and pressures faced by Fares, Iglal’s son, he never forgot his mother and wanted her close to him. He never abandoned her or sent her to a nursing home, for example.

AO: In recent years, you have appeared in several TV series but not in films. Why is that?

A: I love cinematic acting, but so far, I haven’t found serious film projects that excite me enough.

AO: You are multitalented—you sing, act… you even hosted a programme. Which activity resonates with you the most?

A: I find myself differently in every project I undertake or participate in.

Currently, my main interest is in music and singing, and this is because I am not working on filming. Also, it has been some time since I’ve given singing proper attention.

Music requires much time and effort, so I plan to dedicate myself to it in the coming period. I miss musical theatre and concerts very much.

AO: Speaking of your highly successful TV programme Salon Anoushka (2017), in which you hosted celebrities to talk about their careers—is there any chance the programme will be revived?

A: Hosting is not easy. It is a huge responsibility. You need to have strong observational skills with guests.

Despite the job's difficulty, I had a very cooperative production team at the time, along with a production company that paid great attention to the most minor details.

For any programme to succeed, its concept must be strong and meaningful. If I find a new idea for a programme, I would be excited to repeat the experience—especially since Salon Anoushka was very successful and reached four seasons. It was a delightful experience.