In a rare appearance and fiery statements, retired Egyptian artist Shams Al-Baroudi broke her silence to launch a scathing attack on another artist, following the latter's statements in which she claimed to have rejected a huge financial offer of one million pounds in exchange for wearing the hijab, which Al-Baroudi considered a kind of exploitation and spreading of lies.

A strongly worded message: Lying is unacceptable

Shams El Baroudi posted a direct message on her personal Facebook account, strongly criticizing the fabrication of stories for the sake of trending topics or fleeting fame. El Baroudi pointed out that lying is unbecoming of an artist's age and status, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in both words and actions.

The retired artist cited religious motivation in her speech, recalling the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, about the characteristics of a believer, where she denied that a believer could be a liar, in a clear indication of her doubt about the alleged financial offer.

The context of retirement and the ongoing controversy

Shams El Baroudi's statements come at a time of renewed debate within the Egyptian artistic community regarding the relationship between art and the hijab, the phenomenon of actresses retiring and then returning, and talk of financial incentives to leave the arts. Shams El Baroudi is considered an icon in this context, having decided to retire in the mid-1980s at the height of her artistic career, preferring to completely withdraw from the limelight and dedicate herself to her family life and religious observance. This lends her words considerable weight among the Egyptian and Arab public.

Al-Baroudi explained in her post that the issue of financial offers to cover or remove the head may occur, but linking it to imaginary heroics is what provokes resentment, describing those who promote these lies as having “sick hearts,” stressing that she refuses to be drawn into anger and is content with her knowledge of God and His Messenger.

Pride in the artistic past and criticism of vulgarity

Contrary to what some might think, Shams El Baroudi confirmed that she has completely reconciled with her artistic past. She explained that she feels no shame about the films she made in her youth, noting that she collaborated with some of the biggest directors, producers, and filmmakers of the golden age of Egyptian cinema.

In contrast, she expressed her sadness and displeasure with some current practices, criticizing some female artists for performing roles that focus on highlighting physical attributes in an exaggerated and vulgar manner, considering that true art lies in honesty and talent, and that only a very few continue thanks to their commitment to principles.

A call for repentance and salvation from danger

Al-Baroudi concluded her message by emphasizing that repentance for lying is obligatory, and that a true believer remains truthful no matter the temptations or surrounding circumstances, calling on her colleagues in the artistic community to adhere to truthfulness and stay away from nonsense.

In a separate incident, Shams El Baroudi reassured her fans after announcing her recent survival from a horrific car accident. She recounted the details of the incident, explaining that while she was running some errands, a car suddenly lost control, mounted the sidewalk, and overturned several times beside her. She emphasized that divine intervention saved her from certain death.

In a surprising turn of events within the Egyptian art scene, actress Maha Nassar broke her silence to reveal details of the dispute that took place behind the scenes of the filming of the series "Immunity," which is scheduled to be shown during the Ramadan 2026 drama marathon. Nassar addressed a direct and firm message to her colleague in the work, Tunisian star Hend Sabri, putting an end to the speculations that have recently spread about the nature of the relationship between them.

Details of the message and behind-the-scenes details of the crisis

Through her official Facebook account, Maha Nassar published a statement clarifying her position, affirming her ability to tolerate negative human emotions such as jealousy and resentment, considering them personal matters that can affect human nature. However, she firmly emphasized a red line that cannot be crossed: public insults or attempts to belittle and humiliate others in front of them.

Nassar revealed that she had previously taken formal steps, filing a complaint with the relevant authorities more than two months ago. She had chosen to remain silent during that period to maintain workflow and avoid creating confusion, despite what she described as some people ignoring her concerns. Her message included a poignant phrase that summarized her motivation for breaking her silence: "Life without dignity loses its value.".

A direct message to Hend Sabry and the exoneration of Huda El-Etreby

In closing, Maha Nassar made a direct request to actress Hend Sabry, urging her to cease what she termed the "campaigns" being waged against her. In a related matter, Nassar clarified another point for her audience and followers, emphasizing that actress Huda El-Etreby is not involved in this dispute, and denying any rumors that might have circulated about her due to this behind-the-scenes tension.

Immunity Series: A drama of reality and Ramadan competition

This dispute casts a shadow over the series "Immunity," one of the most anticipated works of Ramadan 2026. The 15-episode series follows a dramatic format that has recently become popular among both producers and audiences due to its fast pace and focused plot. Inspired by real events, the series is written by Abbas Abu El-Hassan and directed by Hussein El-Manbawy.

The importance of work and expectations of success

Despite the current tensions, the Arab audience eagerly anticipates this work due to the star-studded cast. In addition to Hend Sabry and Maha Nassar, the series boasts a stellar lineup of Egyptian and Arab actors, making it a strong contender for viewership ratings. The cast includes veteran actor Riad El-Khouly, singer and actor Khaled Selim, young actor Ahmed Khaled Saleh, and comedy star Mohamed Anwar, as well as Karim Kassem, Ahmed El-Shamy, Ahmed Habashi, and Huda El-Etreby, with several guest appearances.

This crisis reflects the immense pressures faced by artists during intensive filming seasons, especially in productions that compete during Ramadan, where the spotlight is as much on the behind-the-scenes as it is on the screen.

In new statements that have sparked interest in artistic circles and the Arab public, the great Egyptian star Elham Shaheen her comprehensive vision for a possible artistic project that deals with her autobiography and her long career in the world of art, stressing her openness to the idea and her welcome to documenting her life and professional journey in a dramatic work that befits her history.

Ilham Safi El-Din... the aunt's successor in dramatic portrayal

Ilham Shaheen clarified that she has no objection to her life story being portrayed on screen, and even went so far as to nominate her niece, the rising young actress Ilham Safi El-Din , to embody her in her youth. This nomination is based on the striking resemblance in features and artistic genes, as well as the talent Ilham has demonstrated in her recent work, making her the ideal choice to capture the spirit and personality of her aunt on camera.

"Bold" or "Rebellious"... Titles that reflect a true reality

Regarding the proposed title for the work, Shaheen indicated two options that reflect the essence of her life: "The Bold One" or "The Rebel." These titles are not mere words, but rather an accurate description of the journey of an artist who has waged numerous artistic and intellectual battles and faced political and social challenges throughout her career. Elham Shaheen is considered one of the most prominent stars of her generation, distinguished by her portrayal of complex and controversial roles, making her life a rich source of material for realistic dramas that tell stories of rise and defiance.

Sherine Abdel Wahab... The voice that expresses current events

In a touch of artistry that enhances the anticipated project, Elham Shaheen expressed her strong desire for Egyptian star Sherine Abdel Wahab to sing the series' theme song, should it come to fruition. Shaheen believes that Sherine's voice, with its poignant and authentically Egyptian feel, is best suited to convey the emotions and dramatic upheavals she has experienced in her life, thus adding a profound emotional dimension to the work.

A deliberate absence from Ramadan 2026 dramas

On another note, and reaffirming the principle that "quality is more important than quantity," Elham Shaheen officially announced her absence from the Ramadan 2026 drama season. She attributed this decision to her failure to find a strong and distinctive script that would challenge her acting abilities and add to her artistic repertoire. This decision underscores the commitment of veteran stars to carefully selecting their roles to preserve their legacy, rather than simply appearing for the sake of appearances.

The echoes of the series "Sayed El Nas"

This absence comes after her outstanding performance last year in the series "Sayed El Nas," which achieved remarkable success thanks to its stellar cast. Directed by the acclaimed Mohamed Sami, the series brought together a constellation of brilliant names including Amr Saad, Ahmed Zaher, Ahmed Rizk, Reem Mustafa, Bushra, Inji El Mokaddem, Khaled El Sawy, and Nashwa Mustafa. This series marked a significant milestone in popular drama, making the task of choosing Elham Shaheen's next project even more challenging and delicate.