Salah Zulfikar

Salah El Din Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar ( ar, صلاح ذو الفقار; ; 18 January 1926 – 22 December 1993) was an Egyptian actor and film producer. He started his career as a police officer in the Egyptian National Police, before becoming an actor in 1956. He is regarded as one of the most influential actors in the history of Egyptian film industry. Zulfikar had roles in more than hundred feature films in multiple genres during a 37-year career, mostly as the leading actor. In 1996, in the centenary of Egyptian cinema, ten of his films as an actor and five of his films as a producer were listed in the Top hundred Egyptian films of the 20th century.

Salah Zulfikar was one of Egypt's heroes in its battle against the occupation while serving in the police. His son, Egyptian entrepreneur Ahmed Zulfikar, mentioned in a 1994 press release that his father participated in the guerrilla war in Ismailia against the British in 1944, and his patriotism was without limits. Afterwards, Zulfikar volunteered in the Battle of Ismailia of 1952, and in the 1956 Suez War. He was awarded the medal of military duty first class from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in appreciation for his efforts in serving his country.

After becoming an actor in 1956 and film producer in 1958. He started his career as a part time actor with temporary permits from Ministry of Interior. Later, he went on to be a full time actor in late 1957. He appeared in feature films, short films, stage, television and radio serials. Zulfikar is one of the most famous artistic figures in Egypt and the Arab world. His contributions to film, television and stage as an actor and film producer earned him a worldwide reputation that made him one of the most influential middle eastern and Arab public figures in the 20th century.

Early life and education

Salah El Din Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar ( ar, صلاح الدين أحمد مراد ذو الفقار) was born on 18 January 1926 in El Mahalla El Kubra, Egypt. His father was Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar, who served as a senior Egyptian police commissioner in the Ministry of Interior and his mother Nabila Zulfikar was an Egyptian housewife. Zulfikar was the seventh of eight brothers and sisters. His eldest brother, Mohamed, was a businessman, two elder sisters were Soad and Fekreya. Another brother was movie actor and director Mahmoud. His brother Ezz El-Dine was also a movie director, Kamal Zulfikar was a military officer. His younger brother Mamdouh was a businessman.

Zulfikar excelled in his studies and was an athlete. He was one of Egypt's champions in boxing and won the King's Cup in boxing (featherweight) in 1947. He initially joined the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, to please his father, who wished Zulfikar to become a doctor like his grandfather. After his father became sick, he transferred his admission to the Police Academy so he could stay in Cairo beside his father. He graduated in 1946. Salah Zulfikar was appointed to the Menoufia Security Directorate and the Prisons Authority, specifically Egypt Prison, and also worked as a teacher at the Police Academy.

Police career

While studying in Police Academy, Zulfikar participated in the guerrilla war of Ismailia against the British forces in 1944. Zulfikar graduated in 1947, he was assigned immediately in Monufia Governorate Police force. A year later he was assigned in prison of Cairo which was responsible for prisoners including Anwar Sadat ( President of Egypt in 1970) in 1947. In 1949, Zulfikar started teaching at the Police Academy. In 1952 he volunteered to join the police unit in Ismaïlia which was under attack by the British Army. The Egyptian police force refused to hand over their weapons to the British forces, which led the British army to bring in tanks to capture the building. The ensuing battle was later commemorated and is now celebrated in Egypt on 25 January of every year as National Police Day. Zulfikar received a National Award of Honor for his bravery.

In 1956 Suez war, Zulfikar took the initiative leading 19 of his students in the Police Academy and volunteered as commandos resisting the tripartite attack by the British, French and Israeli armies. Zulfikar also received the Military Medal of Duty of First Class from President Gamal Abdel Nasser for risking his life for his country with bravery and honor.

Acting career

Early career and first leading role

Salah Zulfikar's elder brothers Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar and Mahmoud Zulfikar were film directors. During his free time he used to attend film shooting. In 1955, his brother, Ezz El-Dine, tried to convince Zulfikar to start acting but he refused for he thought it is an impossible idea due to the nature of his job as a police officer. Finally under Ezz El-Dine's persistence, Zulfikar agreed and was granted a temporary permit from the Minister of the Interior, which was headed at the time by Zakaria Mohieddin to take the leading role in ''Wakeful Eyes'' (''Uyoun Sahrana''), released in 1956. Hid second role was Hussein Abdel Wahed in '' Back Again'' (''Rodda Qalbi'') (1957), Zulfikar was a natural and his performance gained public passion. The next year, he was cast by Youssef Chahine for '' Jamila, the Algerian'' (''Djamila'') (1958). Zulfikar acted in both films with temporary permits.

After Zulfikar's success, he had to choose his career path. He asked the minister for resignation but instead was promoted to lieutenant colonel and granted an early pension.

1950s: Breakthrough and rise to stardom

Salah Zulfikar's second movie after ''Wakeful Eyes'' was Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's '' Back Again'' (''Rodda Qalbi)'' (1957), it was his first success, the film was telling the story of the Egyptian revolution of 1952 and became a yearly celebration on the Egyptian state television on every 23rd of July. Followed by Youssef Chahine's '' Jamila, the Algerian'' (''Gameela'') (1958) in which he played the role of Azzam.

In 1959, Salah Zulfikar starred in six films including Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's ''The Second Man'' (''Elragol Elthani''), and it was a box office as a producer and critical success earning Zulfikar high reviews from Cairo critics. Hassan El Imam's ''Love Until Worship'' (''Hob hatta El Ebada'') alongside Taheyya kariokka. It was a dramatic role showing Zulfikar's acting capabilities, he received highly favorable reviews and most of critics acknowledged his talent.

Zulfikar's following role was in ''Light of the Night'' (''Nour El Leil'') alongside Mariam Fakhr Eddine. He played the lead in '' Forbidden Women'' (''Nesaa Moharramat'') (1959), a box-office hit alongside Huda Sultan. In the same year, he portrayed the role of Ahmed, a playboy, and the film was full of romantic scenes, showing Zulfikar's potential in romance film genre. In the following film, he co-starred in his production debut; ''Among the Ruins'' (''Bain Al Atlal''), and was a classical romance earning both critical and financial success. The commercial success of one film after another made him a bankable star.

1960s: Consecutive films and success

Zulfikar's selection of diversified roles increased his popularity in Egypt and all over the Middle East. In 1960, he starred in ''I accuse'' (''Eni Attahem'') of Hassan El-Imam, a thriller with Zulfikar sharing the lead with Zubaida Tharwat, he portrayed the role of Salah the journalist. Zulfikar starred in Niazi Mostafa's '' A Scrap of Bread'' (''Louqmat Al-Aych'') (1960) making good numbers in the box office despite press predictions before the film's release.

His next film was ''The'' ''Sacred Bond'' (''Al Rubat Al Muqadas'') (1960) alongside Sabah and Emad Hamdy earning him critical recognition from Cairo critics for both his role as an actor and a producer. Zulfikar paired with Soad Hosny for the first time in Hassan El Imam's '' Money and Women'' (''Mal Wa Nesaa'') (1960) and the film was a commercial success which later encouraged both movie stars to make four more films together. In 1961, Zulfikar starred in six films, the romantic comedy; '' That's What Love Is'' (''El Hubb Keda'') alongside Sabah was a great box office hit. Mahmoud Zulfikar's ''Rendezvous with the Past'' (''Maww'ed Maa El Maady'') alongside Mariam Fakhr Eddine was a romantic classic making good numbers in the box office. Another romance was ''A Storm of Love'' (''A'sefa Min Al Hubb'') (1961) co-starring Nahed Sherif in her first ever leading role. He played his first villain role of his career starring in the commercial hit; '' Me and my Daughters'' (''Ana wa Banaty'') (1961) alongside leading veteran actor Zaki Rostom and Nahed Sherif.

The following years, Salah Zulfikar achieved success all over the Middle East through multiple film genres. He shared the lead with Mariam Fakhr Eddine in horror box office hit; ''The Cursed Palace'' (''Al-Qasr Al-Mal'oun'') (1962). His next role was Mahmoud, playing the lead in ''Wife Killing Society'' (''Gama'eyat Qatl Al-Zawgat'') (1962), a comedy with a supporting cast including Zahrat El-Ola earning good numbers in the box office. He paired with Soad Hosny for the second time in Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's 1962 box office hit ''Appointment at the Tower'' (''Maww'ed Fil-borg''). In 1963, his wonderful role as Issa El Awam in ''Saladin'' (''El'' ''Nasser Saladin'') of Youssef Shahine gained high critical reviews. The same year, he played Doctor Hamooda in Mahmoud Zulfikar's '' Soft hands'' (''El Aydy el Naema'') (1963) with his performance earning him state's award for best actor in a leading role. The film was a participant in 14th Berlin International Film Festival in 1964. Zulfikar starred in '' A Husband on Vacation'' (''Zogue fe Agaza''), a romantic comedy which he played the character of Essam Nour Eddine who became bored from his marriage life. A commercial hit providing Laila Taher her first ever leading role. In Italy, Zulfikar played a role of an Egyptian police officer in the Italian film; ''Secret of the Sphinx'' (''La sfinge sorride prima di morire - Stop Londra'') (1964) directed by Duccio Tessari. After the film's release, Tessari asked Zulfikar to settle in Italy to earn better opportunities in Italian cinema but he refused and preferred to stay in Egypt. On stage, Zulfikar's debut was in 1964's '' A Bullet in the Heart'' (''Rosasa Fil Qalb'') alongside Laila Taher, it was based on Tawfiq Al-Hakim's novel with the same name. The play was showed for a whole year achieving great success in Cairo theaters.
The romantic drama; '' Dearer than my Life'' (''Aghla Min Hayati'') (1965) was a huge success and his performance is regarded as one of Zulfikar's greatest. It earned him state award for best actor in a leading role. In the following years, the film turned out to be a romantic classic and the two main characters of Ahmed and Mona became a symbol of love and affection among Egyptians. The three Fatin Abdel Wahab's romantic comedies; '' My Wife, the Director General'' (''Mirati Moudir Aam'') (1966). Followed by ''My Wife's Dignity'' (''Karamet Zawgati'') (1967), earning him state's award for best actor in a leading role for his performance. And ''My Wife's Goblin'' (''Afreet Mirati'') (1968) alongside Shadia, were both financial and critical successes.

In 1967, Zulfikar starred in the political play; ''Rubabikia'' (''Robabeekya'') (1967) alongside Taheyya Kariokka and Nabila Ebeid achieving critical and financial success. In 1968, Zulfikar starred in Kamal El Sheikh's ''The Man Who Lost His Shadow'' (''El Ragol El-lazi fakad Zilloh''), the film earned critical recognition. His next role was Yehia in Youssef Chahine's ''The Nile and the Life'' (''El Nil Wal Hayah'') (1968). In the next year, he starred in the comedy; '' Good Morning, My Dear Wife'' (''Sabah El Kher ya Zawgaty El Azeeza'') (1969) and the film was a huge commercial hit in theaters of Egypt and the Arab world. This encouraged Zulfikar to give an opportunities to a new generation of actresses co-starring in his next films, such as Nelly, Mervat Amin and Naglaa Fathy.

1970s: Bankable star

Exceeding a decade as a bankable star in Egypt and the Arab world, in the 1970s, Zulfikar was focused on commercial success. He starred in the box office hit; '' My Husband's Wife'' (''Imra'at Zawgy'') (1970) alongside leading actresses; Nelly and Naglaa Fathi. In the same year, he earned critical recognition from Cairo critics for his performance as Amin Akef in the political thriller, '' Sunset and Sunrise'' (''Ghroob wa Shrooq'') of Kamal El Sheikh (1970). His next role was Fahmy in '' Virgo'' (''Borj El-Athraa'') (1970) with Zulfikar in the lead alongside Nahed Sherif, Adel Emam and Lebleba in supporting roles. In the same year, he starred in the thriller; ''Eye of Life'' (''Ain El Hayah'') (1970) achieving good numbers in the box office. In 1971, he starred alongside Faten Hamama in Henry Barakat's short film named ''The Witch'' (''Sahera'') (1971).


In 1971, he starred in the crime thriller; ''The Killers'' (''El Qatala'') of Ashraf Fahmy making huge box office success in Egyptian theaters. In his six films of 1972, Zulfikar played diversified roles including Mohsen in ''A Call for Life'' (''Da'wa Lil Hayah'') (1972), co-starring Mervat Amin and Mahmoud El-Meliguy. In Lebanon, he paired with Sabah for the sixth and last time in '' Paris and Love'' (''Paris wal Hob'') (1972) and the film was a commercial hit, and the highest grossing film in Lebanese theatres of the year, however it was received with mixed reviews by critics. He starred in Mahmoud Zulfikar's ''Featureless Men'' (''Regal bila Malameh'') (1972) alongside actress Nadia Lutfi, and it made good numbers in the box office. Zulfikar paired with Soad Hosny for the fourth time in ''Those People of the Nile'' (''Al Nass Wal Nil'') (1972) directed by Youssef Chahine. On stage, Zulfikar played the role of a bachelor in the successful comedy; ''A Bachelor and Three Maidens'' (''Azib Wa Talaat Awanes'') (1972).

In Syria, Zulfikar played the lead in the Syrian romance; '' Memory of A Night of Love'' (Ze''kra Lailat Hubb'') (1973) alongside leading actresses Nelly, Muna Wassef, Nabila Ebeid and Hala Shawkat making high numbers in theaters of Syria and Lebanon. Zulfikar achieved box office success in Egyptian theaters in his psychological drama; '' The Other Man'' (''Al Rajul Al Akhar'') (1973) in which he was also the executive producer. In Mexico, Zulfikar played the role of his fellow Egyptian King Horemheb alongside Geraldine Chaplin in the short film '' Nefertiti and Akhenaton'' ( Spanish: ''Nefertiti y Aquentos'') (1973) directed by Raúl Araiza. In 1974, Zulfikar starred in four films, he played a character of a man suffering from insomnia in ''2-1-0'' (''Etnein Wahed Sefr'') (1974). Followed by Dr. Nabil, the psychiatrist treating a bunch of young men with serious issues by taking them on a summer trip to start treatment in ''In Summer We Must Love'' (''Fel Saef Lazem Neheb'') (1974), a comedy co-starring Nour El-Sherif, Samir Ghanem, Magda El Khatib, Abdel Moneim Madbouly, Lebleba and Madiha Kamel. In the same year, he starred in ''Dunya'' a drama co-starring Nelly, Mahmoud El-Meliguy and Saeed Saleh. In theater, Zulfikar starred in ''Three Cards Hotel'' (''Fondo' El Talaat Wara't'') (1974), a comedy co-starring Samir Ghanem and George Sidhom.
A villain role, was Hafez in '' The Guilty'' (''Al Mothneboon'') (1976). Passing a year from films, in the year 1977, Zulfikar starred in three television series; ''The'' ''Truth..That Unknown'' (''Al Haqeeqa Thalek Al Maghool'') co-starring Soher Al Bably, and ''Those Who Burn'' (''Alatheen Yahtareqoon''), both aired on Arabian television channels earning huge success all over the Arab world. The famous historical TV miniseries; '' The Return of the Spirit'' (''Awdet El Roh'') (1977) aired on Egyptian and Arab television networks, it was based on Tawfiq Al-Hakim's 1933 novel under the same name, the miniseries was a huge success in Egypt and the Arab world, it is considered one of Zulfikar's most successful television works of his entire career.

Back to films in the following year, Zulfikar played the leading character of a police detective investigating a homicide in the crime thriller ''Desire and Price'' (''Al Raghba Wal Thaman'') (1978) a crime thriller alongside Shoukry Sarhan and Nahed Sherief. In the same year, he starred in the commercial hit; ''Roadless'' ''Traveller'' (''Mosafer bila Tareeq'') (1978) directed by Ali Abdel Khalek and a rich cast that included Mahmoud Yassin, Magda El Khatib, Mahmoud El-Meliguy, Gamil Ratib, Afaf Shoueib and Mohsen Sarhan. And in an unexpected role, Zulfikar played the role of Sarout, an angel who comes to Earth to try to save his fellow angel in ''Sin of An Angel'' (''Khati'at Malak'') (1979). On stage, he starred in ''One Wife is Enough'' (''Zawga Waheda Takfi'') (1979) co-starring Mohamed Negm and the play was a commercial success with mixed critical reviews.

1980s: Influence and career maturity

Zulfikar's films, television films and series continued to be successful during the eighties. Due to major alteration in Egyptian cinema in the 1980s, Zulfikar focused generally on television becoming selective in his film roles. In 1980, he starred in the mystery series: ''Illusion and Truth'' (''Al-Wahm W Al-Haqeeqa'') playing the role of Gaafar Abel Geleel earning high ratings. He starred in the 1981 film; ''I'm Not Lying But I'm Beautifying'' (''Ana La Aktheb Wlakenani Atajaml'') playing the role of Rafik Hamdy, a famous writer and a father for the first time, a social drama alongside Ahmed Zaki, Athar El-Hakim, and Zahrat El-Ola. Followed by the dramatic film; ''Secret Visit'' (Z''eyara Serreya'') (1981), in which Zulfikar portrayed brilliantly the role of Judge Ismail, and his performance earned him state's award for best actor in a leading role. His next role was Abdel Ghaffar Lotfy, playing the lead in; '' A Moment of Weakness'' (''Lahzet Da'af'') (1981), alongside Hussein Fahmy and Nelly. Zulfikar portrayed a complex character and his performance was glowingly reviewed by critics and achieved good numbers in the box office.

In 1982, Zulfikar shared the lead with Nour El-Sherif in the crime thriller; '' The Peacock'' (''El Tawoos'') of Kamal El Sheikh, and it gained high critical and financial success, earning him state's award for best actor in a leading role for his performance and for the second time in a raw. After his two consecutive awards, Zulfikar refused lots of scripts and spent almost three years away from films from 1982 to 1985. He played the lead in six television series including the 1982 thriller police mystery; ''Detective Inspector'' (''Mofattesh El Mabaheth'') alongside Laila Taher, he played the lead as his original job as a police officer in the role of Major General Mohie, a high ranked police detective, and the series was aired all over the Arab world.

In 1983, he starred in the television series; ''Flowers and Cactus'' (''Zohoor W Ahwak'') alongside Zahrat El-Ola, it gained high critical reviews. In theatre, he starred in ''Hanan My Wife'' (''Merati Hanan'') (1984) achieving commercial success and high critical reviews. In 1984, he played the lead in the biggest joint Arab production of Arab television at the time; ''The Mirror'' (''Al Miraya'') television series making Salah Zulfikar the highest paid actor in the Middle East, the historical drama miniseries featured a pan-Arab cast that included Hind Kamel, Samiha Ayoub, among others. Polific on stage as well and starring in five plays on Cairo theaters including ''Possible? Not Possible'' (''Ma'oul? La Ma'oul'') (1985), sharing the lead with Huda Sultan earning both critical and financial success.

Zulfikar returned to films in 1985 upon Youssef Chahine's insisting request, he played the role of Cheikh Hassouna in '' Adieu Bonaparte'' (''Wadaan bounapart'') and it earned high crirical recognition from french critics in Cannes Film Festival. The next year, he starred in ''Please and Your Kindness'' (''Min Fadlik Wa Ihsanik'') (1986), a highly successful adaptation of Naguib Mahfouz's novel, with a supporting cast including Huda Sultan and Hesham Selim. His next role was Fadel Abu Al-Fadl; the wealthy man who spent almost everything he owned to build a huge villa and own a sports car in the popular comedy; ''The Barefoot Millionaire'' (''El Millionaira El Hafya'') (1987) co-starring Hala Fouad, followed by the 1987 television series; ''Diplomatic Love'' (''Al Hubb Fe Haqeeba Diplomacia''), which was aired only on Arab television channels, supported by leading actors Laila Fawzi, Ahmed Mazhar

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