Superstar Mohamed Ramadan asserted that his new film, “Asad” (Lion), represents a qualitative leap in the Arab film industry, describing it as the most expensive production in the region. In televised remarks coinciding with the film’s box office success, grossing over 1.7 million Egyptian pounds on its opening day, Ramadan expressed his delight at the significant production risk, emphasizing that the film’s success will pave the way for producers to create world-class projects unafraid of massive budgets.
Ramadan revealed the artistic challenge he faced in portraying the character of “Asad the rebellious slave,” saying, “I faced a difficult test in this film; how to make the audience believe in this profound historical figure and forget that I am both an actor and a singer.” He noted that he had previously succeeded in this test in the series “Jaafar Al-Umda” (Jaafar the Mayor), where the audience became so immersed in the character that they forgot his musical identity. He hopes to replicate this success in “Asad” to demonstrate his ability to completely separate his different artistic styles.
Ramadan explained that the film’s massive production, which took two years to film, stems from its meticulous attention to historical detail in depicting 1876 and its reliance on an international action team. He commented, “When a film of this scale achieves such a strong return, it reassures producers that investing in quality and professionalism pays off.” He expressed optimism that “Asad” will be a game-changer in Arab cinemas and streaming platforms, being the most expensive film in terms of resources and technology employed.
The film, written and directed by Mohamed Diab, tells the epic story of Asad, who ignites a revolution against slavery in 19th-century Egypt because of a forbidden love he shares with a free woman (Razan Jamal). Asad’s aspirations for freedom clash with the tyranny of the Egyptian governor (Maged El Kedwany) and the power struggle between tradition and modernity, represented by the crown prince (Ahmed Dash).
This epic work, distributed by Empire and produced by major alliances including Big Time and Good Fellows, features a constellation of stars including Ali Qassem, Kamel El Basha, and Iman Youssef, amid expectations that the film will continue to break records thanks to the combination of Mohamed Ramadan’s strong dramatic performance and the massive production.
