Life couldn’t be better for Egyptian actress Ilham Shaheen. She is currently living the best time of her life and is getting ready for two “great” projects.
In an interview with the Qatari Al Raya newspaper, the actress talked about her professional and personal life alike; with great generosity and openness.
Ilham started to her talk by describing her love for work, saying “every achiever will be met with a great reward.”
“I work very hard at my job and try to be diverse in my characters so that the audience does not get bored of me. Also, I choose my roles very carefully and give all my time to the arts. Nothing can get me busy for work. Last year, I was working an average of 20-hour days and I was always careful to perform each role with the same amount of passion and strength. My work on the small screen does not undermine my fame; it just makes in stronger.
Meanwhile, Shahine said that she has nothing negative to say about the new generation of actors and does not mind working with them.
“I do not have a problem which hinders me from working with the ‘new’ actors. I worked with them in the film Jnoun El Hayat (The Madness of Life) where Kareem Abdul Aziz was the main star. There was also Al Katel Al Latheeth, (Sweet Murder), where Mona Zaka was nominated and I got very excited about that and was happy to work with her. Also, in the film Harmonica [yes the musical instrument], I worked with Ahmad Al Siqa after I saw him in a couple of other films and was impressed by his talent.”
On her absence this Ramadan, the actress said : “I prefer not to be a Ramadan star every single year. I have always made it a point to participate in one or two consecutive years then stop for a year. This year is my resting time. Also, I am careful about choosing my roles and also it is not easy finding a good script.
Following the extensive talks, the actress answered a quick pro quo session with the following:
Q: How many movies have you made so far and what phase are you in right now?
A: I have so far starred in more than 70 films and am living the best times of my life.
Q: Tell us about your personal life?
A: I am giving all my time to my work.
Q: Are you in love?
A: I have no one in my heart right now. I had someone before but not anymore. Love makes anyone happier and human beings who are in love do not feel despair.
Q: Are there any qualities you would like in your future man?
A: No, not really. I work more with emotions.
Q: Does divorce affect the emotional state of an actress?
A: It does for a while. But all that ends. The effect is actually limited because I care about my work no matter what my personal circumstances are.
Q: Were you hasty in your relationship decisions?
A: No, because I took a long time to make all my decisions in life. Also I believe that everything is fate and luck.
Q: Will your next experience come a bit later ?
A: Emotional factors are not measured with time but with the heart and soul.
Q: What do you think of envy?
A: I am scared of it… Especially that it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
Q: what do you do throughout Ramadan?
A: My day in Ramadan passes just like any other day because I have always been a late waker. Also, I don’t eat until 4 or 5 in the afternoon and don’t smoke, which stops Ramadan from affecting me. But, I have to admit that I like not having to work during the month so that I can take it as relaxation time. However, last Ramadan, I kept filming Samihouni, Makansh Qasdi (Forgive Me, I Didn’t Mean It) in Ramadan. But that was because of circumstances I could not control.
Q: Who are your guest in Ramadan?
A: I like having breakfast with my family because I still live with my mother. Also, I get very happy when, me, my mom, my two brothers, their kids and my sisters get together for ‘Iftar’ together. – Albawaba.com.
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