Egyptian singer Hakim has begun shooting the first scenes for his new movie “Hasan Safari”. Hakim had decided to dedicate his time completely to work on the film, which will mark the beginning of his acting career, calling off most of the concerts scheduled in this time period the UAE based daily, Al Bayan reported.
Hakim will play the role of young man who is madly in love with travelling but a failure in his everyday life. The sequence of events will take Hakim to Europe where he meets a man who sponsors a number of concerts for Arab singers and decided to give Hakim a chance. After having the opportunity to sing in Europe, Hakim becomes a popular singer known all around the World. At this point he decides to return to Egypt hoping to get fame there as well only to find that his popularity has already reached his homeland. The film is directed by Said Hamid and written by screenwriter Majdi Al Kadash.
In December, The Egyptian General Administration of Tax Evasion and Taxation Authority seized a number of Hakim’s personal possessions, including his cars, for not paying overdue taxes on his singing activities that have accumulated to 3 million Egyptian pounds since 1990. Investigation tax officials have discovered that the singer has not paid any income tax from concerts, new albums, and advertising which reached over 30 million Egyptian pounds.
Tax officials notified the police to prohibit the singer from using his cars until he pays at least 10% of the amount requested. An attempt to impound the singer’s apartment failed due to heavy security Hakim had placed. All other personal possessions such as land and real estate are to be confiscated and sold unless quick payment is maid by Hakim. Warnings have been sent to Hakim that legal actions will be taken sentencing him to at least a 3-year prison term if he does not pay by early next year.
Hakim was previously was sued by the Authority and accused of tax evasion, his lawyer intervened and reached an agreement where the singer paid taxes required from him dating back to 1992. It was understood to the General Administration of Tax Evasion that the singer had escaped from the payment of the overdue taxes on his activities. The net profits that were hidden from the Tax Office were estimated at three million Egyptian Pounds. The tax declarations presented by the singer did not conform to what was found in his official documents and records, which led him to run away from tax auditors.
In 2001, Hakim caused an international scandal when he kindled a crisis with the renowned British singer, Sting, who has a concert at the Pyramids. Hakim was slated to perform just before Sting at the "mega concert" at the Pyramids. However, for several reasons, Hakim showed up late and found out his set cancelled. In protest he got up on stage and made an impromptu speech about Egyptians being insulted in their own country. - Albawaba.com
