Director Mohamed Abdel Salam, director of the series “Ali Clay,” responded to the controversy surrounding the exaggerated scenes in the show, which some compared to Indian dramas, explaining that there were clear reasons behind them.
During his interview with the program ET Bil Arabi, Abdel Salam said that he did exaggerate some scenes, particularly those depicting Ahmed El Awady’s character during the psychological crisis he experienced after his wife’s death, emphasizing that reality is sometimes harsher.
He added, “He lets his hair and beard grow long, his skin is darker than the sun, he doesn’t shower, and he sleeps on the street… what should he look like?”
The director explained that the exaggeration reflects reality, commenting, “This is a result of what we see on social media about young people who have suffered psychological trauma.”
Regarding the critics’ opinion of Rahma Mohsen’s performance, which they didn’t like, Abdel Salam asserted that this stemmed from connecting the scenes to the actress’s personal life. He explained that if this were ignored, it would become clear that she worked hard to deliver a distinguished performance.
As for the rumors suggesting Ahmed El-Awady’s interference in the series’ script, Abdel Salam completely denied this, emphasizing that El-Awady trusts him fully and that the agreement on how the series will be presented is made from the beginning, with no changes made on air.
Regarding the exaggerated scenes featuring Dorra in the series, the director responded, “Mayada’s love for Ali turned into a great revenge… that was an exaggeration, but it was based on a strong drama that reflects the characters’ internal tensions.”
