Superstar Karim Abdel Aziz confirmed that his new film, “7 DOGS,” scheduled for global and Middle Eastern release on May 27th to compete during the Eid al-Adha holiday season, will raise the bar for Arab audiences’ expectations of cinema in the coming period. He noted that the film represents a very special production and artistic experience.
This came during the film’s press conference, where Abdel Aziz discussed the behind-the-scenes aspects of the project, his renewed collaboration with star Ahmed Ezz, and the most prominent physical and linguistic challenges he faced during filming.
Abdel Aziz expressed his delight at his third collaboration with Ahmed Ezz, saying, “Cinema is a collaborative art, and having two such big stars in one project is absolutely beneficial for both the film and the audience. There’s a great understanding and chemistry between Ahmed Ezz and me; our personalities are similar, our cinematic backgrounds and respect for the profession are the same, and the director is the primary beneficiary of this harmony.”
Regarding the ongoing debate surrounding the title of “Number One,” Karim clearly stated his position: “From my personal perspective, there’s no such thing as Number One; we don’t see this concept in international cinema. A film might achieve record-breaking box office success one year, and then another film comes along the next and surpasses it. These calculations aren’t how I operate. I’m a hard worker, dedicated to my job, and success comes from God.”
Concerning his experience acting in English in the film, Karim revealed the technical challenges he faced, explaining: “Memorization wasn’t the problem; the biggest challenge was how to convey the nuances of the English language as an Egyptian actor. We would sit for long periods to connect the lines to the drama and the character’s nuances so that the performance would come across as natural and authentic, not just as reciting words. That was the most difficult thing I faced.”
On the physical front, Karim Abdel Aziz revealed that he suffered a serious injury during filming, saying, “The film required more physical exertion than anything I’ve done before. They asked me to undergo intensive training for three months before filming, and I was surprised at the time, saying, ‘I’m not a boxer!’ But once filming began, I realized I needed an additional three months.”
He continued, explaining the nature of his injury: “Action scenes depend on an actor’s fitness and courage, and during the filming of one scene, I tore my calf muscle because I didn’t warm up properly and had to suddenly sprint from a stationary position.”
The film “7 Dogs” is considered one of the biggest and most anticipated action and thriller films of 2026. It is based on an original story by Turki Al-Sheikh and the Big Time team, with the screenplay and dialogue written by Mohamed El-Dabbah. The film is directed by the international duo Bilal Al-Arabi and Adil Fallah, who achieved great international success by directing the famous Hollywood action film “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”.
