With memorable performances since he first appeared on the screen in 2010, Ahmed Dawood has demonstrated his superior acting skills. With a roster of diverse roles, he has moved us, left us breathless and captured our imaginations in tales of love, passion, and adventure. eniGma’s Farida Elserty sat down with the talented actor, known for his modesty and down-to-earth demeanour, for an exclusive, candid chat where he spoke about his journey to the top, the roles that have defined him, and the secrets to his success.
Known to be a risk-taker who constantly challenges himself to push boundaries in his craft, Ahmed Dawood says he had always wanted to get into acting somehow.
“My inspiration to become an actor was sparked when as a student in high school, I visited the Atelier’s Theatre at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Helwan University with my cousin. Witnessing the determination and persistence of the talented performers inspired me to pursue a career in acting and become one of them,” he recalls. Determined to make his own mark in the world of acting, Dawood fearlessly went on to start a theatre team at his Faculty of Engineering at Helwan University and his talent was recognised since those early days. “Winning the Best Actor award in my first university show was the moment that solidified my passion for acting and confirmed that it was my calling,” he asserts.
For more than eight years, Dawood performed in numerous shows across various theatres until he made his highly anticipated debut on the silver screen as Sameh in the critically acclaimed film Walad W Bent (Boy & Girl), directed by Karim El Adl, in 2010. His first movie role caught the attention of audiences and industry professionals alike and led to a string of roles in television. In 2011, he appeared in Al Shawarea’ Al Khalfaya (Backstreets) alongside the iconic Laila Eloui, and in 2012, he starred in Arafa El Bahr (Arafa of the Sea) with legendary actor Nour El Sherif. That same year, he also delivered compelling performances in Sharbat Louz, alongside the queen of hearts, Youssra, and in Zay El Ward (Like Roses). In 2013, he continued to impress audiences with his work in Niran Sadeeka (Friendly Fire) and Nekdeb Law Qolna Mabenhebesh (We’d Be Lying to Say We Didn’t Love), once again alongside Youssra.
Dawood’s talent and versatility as an actor quickly made him a household name in the Egyptian entertainment industry. However, the role that marked a turning point in his career came in 2014 opposite Nelly Karim, in the hit Ramadan series Segn El Nesa (Women’s Prison). His portrayal of the complex and intense character of Saber resonated with audiences and earned him critical acclaim.
“My role as Saber in Segn El Nesa was one of the most significant and challenging roles of my career. Before this, I was usually typecast as the good guy. However, Kamla Abo Zekry allowed me to showcase my range as an actor by taking on the role of a villain, which was a departure from the roles I had played before,” he says, adding, “To know more about the complex character of Saber, the microbus driver in Segn El Nesa, and to immerse myself in the role, I spent time at the microbus station in El Hosary, 6th of October City. I also took rides with different drivers, observing their behaviour and mannerisms to perfect my role. This experience allowed me to fully understand the character’s motivations and daily life, from his way of speaking to his behaviour, and to bring authenticity and depth to the character.” Dawood’s exceptional performance in this series displayed his range and versatility as an actor, and cemented his status as one of Egypt’s most talented actors.
In 2015, Dawood returned to the big screen —his forever favourite love, taking on a leading role in the action-packed crime movie Welad Rezk (Rezk’s Sons), alongside a star-studded cast that included Ahmed Ezz, Amr Youssef, Ahmed El Fishawy, Karim Kassem, Mohamed Mamdouh, and Sayed Ragab. In this film, Dawood showcases his comedic skills for the first time, surprising and delighting his audiences.
The following years saw him undertake standout performances in several successful television series, including Grand Hotel in 2016, Haza El Masa (This Evening) in 2017, Zay El Shams (Like the Sun) in 2019, Aho Da Ely Sar (That’s What Happened) in 2019, Lae’bet El Nesyan (Forgetfulness Game) in 2020, and Suits in Arabic in 2022. These exceptional performances further bolstered his reputation as an extraordinary actor and his fan base continued to grow exponentially.
Dawood’s fearless and adventurous spirit is reflected in his career as an actor in many ways. “I believe that one of my greatest strengths is my unwavering courage when it comes to making work-related decisions. I never let fear of failure or financial concerns influence my choices. Instead, I approach each work-related decision with passion and determination, knowing that God will help me overcome any obstacle,” he asserts.
Always willing to take on new challenges, Dawood’s successes are a testament to his talent and determination. In 2019, he co-starred in the first-ever Egyptian 4D horror movie, 122, alongside Tarek Loutfy and Amina Khalil. “I am incredibly proud to have been among the first Egyptian and Arab actors to star in a 4D movie, alongside such a talented cast,” Dawood beamingly asserts.
He surprised audiences again when he took on the role of presenter in the popular TV show, The Container. “I was thrilled to be a part of this project, especially since its content was related to my background as a mechanical engineer,” he says, adding, “It was an honour to participate in such a show, and I was excited to see how it showcased the advancements and innovations in Egypt.”
Dawood’s most recent role as Ezz El Din, in the groundbreaking film Youm 13 (Day 13), is a personal favourite of his. Youm 13 is the first-ever Egyptian and Arab 3D movie, the star-studded cast included Dina El Sherbiny, Sherif Mounir, Nesreen Amin, Joumana Mourad, Arwa Gouda, Nehal Anbar, among others, and was written and directed by Wael Abdallah and produced by Loai Abdallah. “I enjoyed every moment of working in Youm 13, and I am immensely grateful to every person who contributed to bringing this work to fruition – from the visionary director and producer to the outstanding cast,” Dawood says in genuine appreciation of having been given the opportunity to participate in the groundbreaking film.
Dawood’s positive intuition about Youm 13 was spot on. The movie has become a sensational success story in the Egyptian film industry, raking in almost EGP 20 million in total revenues and dominating the box office charts during the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Its popularity continued to surge in theatres even after the holiday season, firmly securing its place as one of the highest-grossing films of this year.
Dawood remains deeply attached to several of his other past roles, including Saber in Segn El Nesa, Sameh in Walad W Bent, and Youssef in Aho Da Ely Sar. “I work on every project with love and excitement, pouring my heart and soul into every character I portray. Each of these roles has a special place in my heart in one way or another,” he exclaims. He confirms that he accords great importance to the writer and director in his approach to selecting his roles, “I firmly believe that the production house, director, and writer are all key factors in choosing which projects to pursue and which roles to take on,” he asserts.
Despite his status as a highly respected and talented actor in the industry, his ongoing struggle with handling negative reviews of his work is an open secret. “To this day, hearing negative comments still affects me deeply. Nonetheless, I am committed to using these critiques as an opportunity to improve and grow as an actor,” he says, adding, “Many people believe that fame, money, and power are the only things that come with being a successful actor, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In my opinion, acting is one of the most challenging professions out there, requiring constant decision-making and flexibility.”
Besides his esteemed professional reputation, Dawood is also highly admired as a lovely, modest, and down-to-earth personality with a beloved family. Asked how he maintains a sense of balance between his demanding profession and his private life, he admits, “It can be quite challenging. I always strive to remain grounded and maintain a sense of normalcy when I’m with my wife and children.” He explains that travelling has been a great way for him to balance his fame and personal life. “We love spending weekends in the desert as a family, without any distractions like phones, to strengthen our familial bonds,” he adds.
Dawood’s fans will be thrilled to hear that he will be returning to host another highly anticipated season of The Container on ON TV. In addition, he is currently reviewing a range of movie scripts in search of his next project, fresh off the great success of Youm 13.
“I am so excited about my next roles, and I’m eager to share them with eniGma Magazine,” he concludes.
ENIGMA QUESTIONNAIRE
What is a role or project you turned down that you later regretted not taking?
Nothing. Fortunately, I am not one to easily regret my decisions. I firmly believe in the power of God’s will and trust that everything happens for a reason.
Which role has been the most challenging, and how did you approach it?
Of course, Segn El Nesa (Women’s Prison). It was the first role that shattered the perception that I was always the good guy, demonstrating my range as an actor by showcasing my ability to play the role of a villain.
What is your favourite film that you’ve acted in, and why?
I am happy to say that I have chosen all of my roles with a genuine love and passion for the craft. However, some of my personal favourites include Walad W Bent (Boy & Girl), Hepta, Welad Rezk 1&2 (Rezk’s Sons 1&2), 122, and Youm 13 (Day 13).
Can you share a memorable experience or funny moment that happened on a set?
Everything happens on sets. A set is filled with laughter, joyous moments, drama, and conflicts. It’s a complete experience that brings together a wide range of emotions.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are just starting?
Never do something that you don’t believe in or love.
Do you prefer working in the cinema or on television?
Cinema, all the way!
What is your favourite aspect of the acting process?
The acting itself.
You have played a variety of characters throughout your career. Is there a particular type of role you haven’t done yet that you would like to try?
A role in a historical big action movie.
What is something that your fans may be surprised to learn about you?
I know this may be shocking for some people, but I am a very nervous person.
Do you prefer playing the heroic or the villainous character?
At the moment, I love playing heroic characters because they offer so much depth and complexity.
Photography: Phantom Network
Stylist: Nada Hussam
Assistant Stylist: Ahmed Maher
Dressed by: Calvin Klien & D Store Egypt
Accessories by: Azza Fahmy & Indira Jewelry
Location: Astro Studio
PR: Carrots Company