Egyptian actress Hanan Turk has been nominated to play the role of Columbian-Lebanese pop star Shakira in the new film “Shakira Fil Maneera” (Shakira in Maneera). The actress is currently looking into the script of the film in order to make her decision of whether to accept the role or not. Producers of the film felt that Hanan would be the most suited actress to play the part of Shakira for the existence of a similar resemblance, reported the Egyptian weekly, Al Nogoom.
The film had created a commotion with the Egyptian censorship committee, for the fact that the film holds the name of the famous singer and there was a fear of facing lawsuits over the issue. Even though the film does not directly interfere with the singer's persona, officials felt that it is in the best interest to take precautions against any expected legal suit by the singer.
Head of the censorship committee Madkour Thabet expressed that an acceptance for the film should be made officially and according to the law in order not to risk any unexpected lawsuits. Madkour revealed that the whole issue began when he received a rejection over the film because it is targeted at the famous singer and uses her name in its title. He added that he did not find anything in the script that needed censorship aside from the fact that if the producers are to go on with filming they must either change the name of the film or present an official agreement from the singer saying that it is alright to use her name.
Coincidence has it that the producer of the film Hassan Ramzi has previously run into several problems with the censors over the topics of his films. But this time Ramzi stressed that the film does not threaten in any way Shakira's image and on the contrary it just shows how much the singer is loved and appreciated in Egypt.
The film is about a young girl who is infatuated with Shakira. The girl is so into the singer that she sings and performs in exactly the same manner, in addition to looking a lot like the singer. The writer of the film Nihad Abdul Aziz was shocked with the censorship over the commotion caused. She said that the film does not affect Shakira in any way negative, and in fact it just goes to show how much Shakira is loved by women and men and how most girls look up to her as their role model.
Turk had also welcomed an offer to costar in the leading role in the new social and historic film "La Ahad Yanam Fil Iskindiria" (No One Sleeps in Alexandria) alongside Muna Zaki. The film revolves around the time during World War II and the important social and historic events that affected Egypt from the immigration of a large number of Greeks and the entering of German spies.
The film also revolves around a love story between a young man and a young woman who struggle with family disputes and face a number of problems for the fact that their families support different sides. One family supports the German and the other opposes them and supports the English, reported the UAE daily, Al Bayan.
Turk had recently announced that she will not be accepting any new roles until she completes her work in the film “Hub El Banat” (Girls Romance). The actress said she wants to be able to dedicate herself completely for the film. Hanan stressed that she does not want to be working on more than one film at the same time not wanting to be over exhausted making her incapable of offering her best.
Hanan had changed her mind on recent decision to back out of the film "Hub El Banat" (Girls Romance) alongside Egyptian actress Laila Ilwi. When Hanan had apologized from being able to accept the role previously, Laila made it a point to personally convince her to rethink her decision and join the crew of the film. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
