Egyptian belly dancer Fifi Abdo and actress Abla Kamel have ended the dilemma of the upcoming television series “Raya wi Iskeena” by agreeing to accept the leading roles instead of Egyptian actresses Nadia Al Jundi and Nabila Obeid. Fifi gave a final approval for the role of Raya and Abla to play Iskeena, reported the Qatar based daily, Al Raya.
Nadia revealed that the reason behind her withdrawal from the television series “Raya Wi Iskeena”, which she was to star alongside Nabila in, is the mere fact that she did not feel the script suited her. Nadia stressed that the character she was nominated to play in the drama is an evil one and features too much violence a matter she is not comfortable with.
On her part, Nabila backed out from her previous decision to star in the drama, which is based on the popular folktale, despite the fact that the story had really interested her. Nabila stressed that she had to turn down the offer for the leading role for personal reasons and not because the script.
Work had already begun for the preparation of the new television drama, in order to have it ready for filming at the end of March 2005. Scenarist Mustafa Muhram, who has written some of the most popular television dramas this past Ramadan season, revealed that the script is still being prepared.
Mustafa has announced that the filming of the drama would take place at the Egyptian Media Production City. The drama, which tells the story of two sisters who murder women and steal their jewelry, was hoped to be ready for airing during the month of Ramadan, where number of viewers is the highest.
On a different note, Fifi denied circulating rumors of her resignation from belly dancing stressing that her success as an actress does not mean her giving up her number one passion. The dancer noted that she only eliminated dancing at private parties and weddings, but as long as her health condition allows it she will keep on dancing at certain occasions.
Fifi revealed that she does not consider dancing as a taboo, but rather an art and part of Egypt’s heritage. The dancer added that many thought that she would give up dancing after the death of her mother, which led her to halt her play “Idala’ee Ya Doosa”, stressing that the incident was hard on her and she was in need of time off from the entertainment world.
