May Iz El-Deen has made her way though Egyptian drama and become a star who is not only recognized in Egypt but also throughout the Arab world. She has played a variety of different roles in fi lms and TV serials. Though she was earlier known for romantic roles, she deliberately changed that perception by taking other parts as well. Sayidaty, a sister publication of Arab News, met her recently and here is the interview.

You have shown great concentration in your movie roles. Is this an indication of what you will be doing in the near future? Not really. I have been told that since I am popular in cinema, I must limit my efforts to cinema. I don’t like this idea and I believe that taking part in series and appearing on TV is also worthwhile. Therefore, I decided to take part in all and I have managed to prove myself — whether in films or on TV.

How did you happen to move from playing romantic roles into playing other ones? I had the idea to shift a long time ago. It was difficult, however, to change since at the beginning, I did not really have a choice. As I became better known, I was able to move; still, it was difficult for me to move without encouragement and a push from those around, especially the directors.

Tell us about your movie “Khiana Shar’iya” KhalidYousef directed the movie. He is one of the few distinguished directors who are able to present works that satisfy the audiences and guarantee appreciation and respect. The role I played in the movie was different from any previous one and the movie itself was altogether different.

Khalid Yousof is often criticized for the defiance that he presents in his movies. Were you concerned about this?

Whenever an actor or actress is criticized, this indicates success.

My aim is to work with a director who is presenting something new and different. Yousof is easy to deal with and what he demands is concentration.

What was your role in the movie? I played an ambitious journalist who marries the son of a businessman. She then is left a widow after her husband is killed.

You have been competing with yourself this season — that is to say you are presenting yourself in two movies. Doesn’t this make you a bit afraid? I would have worried if I had been presenting the same characters in different movies during the same season but this is not the case here.

My roles are different in each movie and in fact I played three different roles in “Ayathunno” (Does He Think So).

Most of your movies have singers in them. Is this intentional? I do not select who will be in movies with me; that is the job of the director. Not every actress can share a role with a singer; directors choose me because they feel that I am right for the job. In addition, sharing a movie with a singer brings fame to actresses.

What role do you wish most to play? One that is different and challenging.

You have steadily refused to take on any role which involves seduction. Why do you avoid this when it would bring instant fame? I never considered such roles. I would never take them under any circumstances.

How do you see yourself in comparison to other young Egyptian actresses? Each one of us is special in her own way. Every one of us has her own style and her special way of acting.

What do you think of the new fashion for veils that has recently appeared among actresses? I am happy for all of them and I too intend to wear hijab.

What about your first TV leading role “Nawara” in the series “Bint Bnoot”? Nawara, the protagonist, is an orphan raised by her relatives.

She lies excessively but the difference is that the audience sympathize with her because of her circumstances.

Did you get frustrated when the series was not broadcast in Ramadan? I was angry because I had worked on it for six months. However, as Ramadan approached, I realized that it was right that ‘Bint Bnoot’ was not there. During Ramadan, audiences were confused and were unable to concentrate because of the large number of serials on different channels. People were attracted to our serial because it wasn’t aired during peak time.

Do you think that you have achieved success because of your talent rather than your beauty? I never relied on my beauty. I love acting; I have played many roles that have nothing to do with beauty, that received critics positive appraisals.

Do you think that you are lucky? Yes to some extent but luck on its own does not create a star. There must be talent, development and knowledge.

Of all the roles you played, which character did you feel was closest to you the most? Farah’s character in “Aina Qalbi” (Where ‘s My Heart?) has a lot of me in her. In reality, I am like her; I am kind and active, I love others and I can’t stop smiling. When I get angry it doesn’t last long and I love my mother most of all.