By: Yomna Walid
Rising Sudanese actor Mustafa Shehata has taken centre stage in the region's film industry following his breakthrough performance in the epic historical drama &lsquo;Asad&rsquo;. Whilst he first captured international attention in the acclaimed feature &lsquo;You Will Die at Twenty&rsquo;, it is his raw, powerful portrayal of the rebel slave Awad in Mohamed Diab's latest masterpiece that has truly cemented his place in the heart of Egyptian cinema.
Starring alongside global icon Mohamed Ramadan, Shehata delivers a performance of immense psychological and physical depth, capturing a spirit of resilient defiance that has captivated audiences and critics alike.
Mustafa Shehata spoke to NileFM to go behind the scenes of &lsquo;Asad&rsquo;, discussing how he navigated the brutal challenges of the shoot, what he learned from working with Mohamed Diab, and how this landmark role is shaping his Hollywood ambitions.
Tell us more about your beginnings, how did a Sudanese young man with Egyptian roots find his way into acting and cinema? At the beginning, my friends and I used to create small sketches and upload them on Facebook. They got good engagement. Later, I saw a casting call for the film &lsquo;You Will Die at Twenty&rsquo;. A friend of mine encouraged me to audition, and that&rsquo;s how it all started.
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Your journey between Sudanese and Egyptian cinema is unique. What are the main differences you noticed between both industries? Egyptian cinema has a long-established legacy and is very structured. In Sudan, there was almost no real cinema around 20 years ago compared to today. Now it has become much stronger, especially after &lsquo;Goodbye Julia&rsquo;. Although it started later, it is developing with steady steps and high professionalism, whether in &lsquo;You Will Die at Twenty&rsquo; or &lsquo;Goodbye Julia&rsquo;. Most of the crew I worked with were Egyptian, which also influenced the experience.
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When you were offered a role in a film directed by international filmmaker Mohamed Diab and starring Mohamed Ramadan, what excited you the most about the project? Both names are very important. The moment I heard them, I knew it would be a strong film. I was also drawn to the character Awad, a young, reckless guy. I felt there were many layers I could explore and highlight, especially with such a strong cast and production team behind the film.
Tell us about the most difficult scene you filmed and how you handled that challenge as an actor. There were many difficult scenes, both physically and psychologically. One of the hardest was a scene in Fayoum where a character tells Habashi, The Prince wants you today. The temperature was around five degrees, and we weren&rsquo;t wearing heavy clothes due to the character&rsquo;s condition. Speaking dialogue in that cold was extremely difficult. There were also intense scenes involving people being handcuffed and placed in tight cages. At some point, it felt like we were truly living those moments, and I felt like I was one of them.
What was the atmosphere like behind the scenes, and what did you learn from director Mohamed Diab and star Mohamed Ramadan? The atmosphere was very positive. Mohamed Ramadan brought great energy to the set, he was open, supportive, and always willing to listen and share advice. I learned from him how to be a star while staying grounded and maintaining a good relationship with people so they love you. Mohamed Diab gave us precise direction and valuable acting guidance. I learned a lot from both of them.
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Your role in &lsquo;You Will Die at Twenty&rsquo; was a major breakthrough. How did it change your view of acting and your choice of roles afterward? It was a turning point for me, and I feel very lucky to have been part of it because it opened a window for Sudanese cinema to the world. It completely changed my understanding of acting. Before that, I didn&rsquo;t fully understand cinematic performance and had limited experience. The film placed me inside the industry and reshaped my perspective.
What opportunities do you see for collaboration between Egyptian and Sudanese cinema in the future? Would you like to take part in joint productions? There is currently a Sudanese-Egyptian film being made called &lsquo;Blue Card&rsquo;. I believe that in the future, more Sudanese films produced in Egypt will find strong audiences and success.
You will soon appear alongside superstar Yousra in the film &lsquo;Banat Faten&rsquo;. Can you tell us more about your role and working with her? The film is very special, and I hope audiences will see the effort we put into it. Yousra is amazing in every way, calm, clear, and incredibly inspiring. I deeply admire her. We still stay in contact, and I often consult her for advice even after filming. She is truly a legend in acting. The atmosphere was beautiful on set, also featuring Bassem Samra and Huda El Mufti.
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After your journey from Sudan to international cinema and then Egyptian cinema, what is the biggest dream you are still chasing? It is still a very big dream. I feel my journey is just beginning. I want to work in Hollywood one day and be part of major Arab productions that reach global standards, so strong that we no longer need to reference Western films. I believe the Middle East will become a major global cinematic force, watched and appreciated by both Arab and international audiences.
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Photo Credit: Mustafa Shehata's official page&nbsp;

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