&nbsp;Photo Credit: Mona Zaki's official page
This year is particularly special as we celebrate 50 years since the death of the legendary Umm Kulthum. The media is approaching this anniversary with a fresh perspective, highlighting her life beyond her singing career. She was not only a remarkable artist but also a symbol of national pride and a supporter of her people.
Her journey is inspiring&mdash;starting as a young girl who performed in front of just 15 people, she rose to become a global music icon. Filled with extraordinary triumphs and significant challenges, her story continues to captivate audiences and artists alike. With a remarkable career spanning 60 years, she recorded around 300 songs, leaving behind heartfelt words about love and life.
Now, Mona Zaki is taking on the ambitious task of bringing Umm Kulthum's story to the big screen. The film is supposed to be released this year.
Mona Zaki's "Al Set": A High-Stakes Biopic
Mona Zaki is currently filming her latest project, "Al Set", a biopic that critics and fans are already calling a daring risk. Biographical films often walk a fine line; if they fail to satisfy audience expectations and address unanswered questions surrounding a beloved figure, disappointment can run deep.
Written by Ahmed Murad and directed by Marwan Hamed, "Al Set" features a star-studded cast, including Nelly Karim, Amr Saad, Sayed Ragab, Tamer Nabil, and Mohamed Farrag. The film is scheduled to hit cinemas later this year and promises to deliver a fresh and powerful portrayal of Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s remarkable life.
Previous Biopics to Capture the Legend
Mona Zaki is not the first artist to take on the formidable task of portraying Umm Kulthum. Over the years, several notable works have attempted to capture the essence of this unparalleled star:
Kawkab El-Sharq In Kawkab El-Sharq, actress Fardos Abdel Hamid depicted Umm Kulthum, focusing on her life from 1944 onward, including her romantic struggles, support for the revolution, and close relationship with President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Fardos described the experience as "scary," stating, &ldquo;Umm Kulthum was an overwhelming figure with unique charisma. It took me a long time to find my way into her character, but I realized her voice was the key. I listened to everything she recorded and learned about her through her close friend, journalist Mustafa Amin."
Umm Kulthum Series (1999) Actress Sabreen captivated audiences with her portrayal of Umm Kulthum in the acclaimed Ramadan series "Umm Kulthum" (1999). The show detailed her ascent to fame, personal battles, and the turbulent political era she lived through. Written by Mahfouz Abdel Rahman and directed by Inam Mohamed Ali, the series remains a benchmark in Arabic television.
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Searching for Umm Kulthum In the film &ldquo;Searching for Umm Kulthum&rdquo;, Yasmeen Raeis stepped into the diva&rsquo;s shoes under the direction of Iranian filmmaker Shirin Neshat. Shot in Morocco and Austria, the film explored Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s struggles against societal expectations, highlighting her resilience and passion.
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Hosen Al-Hayat (Radio Series) Singer Marwa Nagy voiced Umm Kulthum in &ldquo;Hosen Al-Hayat&rdquo;, a radio series celebrating Egypt&rsquo;s historic women leaders. Created for International Women&rsquo;s Day, the series also starred talents like Sawsan Badr, Hala Sedky, and Hanan Shawky.
Seerat Al-Hob (The Story of Love) On the stage of the Balloon Theatre, actress Nahla Khalil brought Umm Kulthum to life in the musical production "Seerat Al-Hob". Featuring stars such as Ehab Fahmy and Magdy Sobhy, the show captured the grandeur of Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s legacy through a dramatic and musical narrative.
No matter how many times her story is told, Umm Kulthum remains an icon whose voice continues to break barriers, touch hearts, and inspire generations. Her music transcends time, and Mona Zaki&rsquo;s upcoming film promises to remind the world why her legend will never fade.

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