Yasser Galal’s Dilemma

I believe star Yasser Galal is in a real dilemma. He portrayed the character of Egypt’s leader, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, across three seasons of the series Al-Ekhtiyar (The Choice). Well, he portrayed the character with immense capability and skill; he embodied heroism, strength, and composure. He presented the President’s persona on screen with a high degree of mastery and commitment, capturing the essence of a man bearing the responsibility of a nation. He relied on the gaze of his eyes, speaking with precision, maintaining silence with purpose, and moving with calculated intent.

Previously, we had grown accustomed to him in historical roles and dignified, serious characters—whether in Lan A'ish fi Jilbab Abi, Rahim, or Zill al-Ra'is. He possesses a solemnity in his features and a kind of prestige that has stuck to him over time.

However, these types of national or historical dramas are not always available, and no actor can remain in the same character regardless of how successful he was in it.

This year, he decided to step outside the frame we are used to. Yasser Galal is a talented actor with high performance capabilities, but I believe his decision to shed that  character was both a major adventure and a dilemma. We have become accustomed to him in a specific light; as for this new "playboy" character—the young man with many feminine adventures—it feels too "light" for him. Despite his good performance, I find an internal resistance to accepting this charay compared to the characters he presented before, and I believe this is the reaction of many viewers as well.

He has the right to get out from the serious character, but I am not sure how he will successfully navigate this transition. This year's series shocked his loving audience, and I do not know which path he will ultimately choose. All I know is that the massive success he achieved in Al-Ekhtiyar and his other series has placed him in a character that he wants to get out of it without losing his audience.

I believe this equation is not easy, especially since his portrayal of the President’s character led to his nomination as an appointed member of the Senate (Shura Council) as a representative of the people. A representative of the people, in my view, should not appear as a man chasing after beautiful girls.

May God help Yasser Galal… the equation is not easy, neither for him nor for us.