Ramadan TV series viewers noticed Alaa in both roles, with commentators praising his performances and the versatility he brings to his characters.
"Ramadan is important because it’s when most people watch drama. When you feel your work reaches people and makes an impact, it’s an amazing, indescribable feeling,” Alaa said in an interview with Al-Ahram Arabic.
In Ayn Sahriya, Alaa played the cunning lawyer Shihab with a subtle acting style that relied on fine details and expressive silence rather than overt emotion.
The character breaks from the typical villain archetype in standard dramas. “I tried to present him calmly, without exaggerated emotions, and I felt people noticed and connected with him,” Alaa explained.
Alaa’s approach leaves room for audience interpretation, ensuring the character is never fully transparent and always inhabits a grey area between good and evil.
"There must be space for questions and imagination. It’s like if someone tells you they have an important errand; you’ll keep imagining what it might be. The same applies to acting; you must let the audience interpret the character in their own way," he said.
He also emphasized the challenge and importance of silence in dramatic work. “In those moments, you control all your emotions and body language. You must convey a specific feeling without words, which requires enormous focus.”
Alaa described his collaboration with Ayn Sahriya co-stars Bassem Samra and Essam Omar as “a wonderful experience,” praising both actors’ talent and dedication.
He also commended the series’ director, Sadeer Massoud, for being open to discussion about the character. “Sometimes I would improvise in a scene while he gave me space; other times, he suggested ideas for the shot or overall feel.”
Preparation is crucial for Alaa. “Preparation is the most important phase; filming is just executing what you’ve prepared,” he said, adding that it is essential to “love the role, even if it’s evil; otherwise, you can’t defend it or present the character truthfully.”
Shihab is just one of two characters Alaa plays in this year’s Ramadan lineup. The other is Tarek in Tawabea (Aftershock).
He described the dual roles as challenging. “The characters are very different, and the series aired at the same time; yet it is also enjoyable, as it lets people see me in more than one light.”
“Portraying Tarek was mentally exhausting. He is full of internal conflicts and details, requiring great concentration during preparation and filming, but these roles are enjoyable because they give an actor more room for performance,” he continued.
This Ramadan season is dominated by 15-episode series, which production companies are still exploring.
Alaa sees it as an opportunity to present “concise, fast-paced dramas, without unnecessary fillers. However, there are also very interesting 30-episode series with many main characters and multiple plotlines, which need more space to develop properly.”
Alaa continues to seek roles that challenge him. “Even if it’s similar to something I’ve done before, it must offer a new angle or a different challenge. I don’t set many restrictions. I evaluate the entire project — the script, the director, and the concept. If I feel the project is important and different, I’m excited to join.”
He counts Ahmed Zaki and Khaled Saleh among his role models, “but ultimately, I want to be Mohamed Alaa in my own way.”
Alaa has also worked on another series, Lel Adala Wagh Akhar, which was filmed last summer and is expected to be released soon.
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