Everything We Learned From Mona Zaki’s Candid Conversation With Lamis Elhadidy

Following her Lifetime Achievement Award at the El Gouna Film Festival’s ninth edition, Mona Zaki sat down with Lamis Elhadidy for a heartfelt conversation about more than just her career.

From overcoming fear and stepping outside her comfort zone to reflecting on the people who shaped her journey, her marriage to Ahmed Helmy, and the personal challenges she has faced, the actress opened up about the experiences that made her who she is today.

Here are the biggest takeaways from their conversation.

You Can’t Let Fear Make Your Decisions for You

For Mona Zaki, fear has always been part of the journey, especially in a career where criticism and public opinion come with the territory. Instead of letting it hold her back, she’s learned to challenge herself by taking on roles that push her beyond what feels familiar.

Her advice is to focus on loving what you do and putting your heart into it, rather than letting the fear of how people might react take over.

“Well, I must first love what I’m doing, and God willing, if I love it and am dedicated to it, it will please people.”

Growing Older Means Understanding Yourself Better

Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award may feel like a full stop for some, but Mona sees it differently. During the conversation, she reflected on how her understanding of herself, her work, and the roles she wants to portray has evolved over the years.

She explained that growing older also means recognizing the stage of life you are in and choosing roles that reflect your experiences and emotions today, rather than trying to revisit feelings you have already outgrown.

“You must understand yourself in the first place. So you can express things, roles, other women in life.”

As for what lies ahead, Mona made it clear she still has plenty of dreams to chase. For her, this award is a moment to feel grateful for the journey so far, not a sign that it has come to an end.

Bringing Umm Kulthum to Life Was an Honor

Speaking about El Sett, in which she portrayed the legendary Umm Kulthum, Mona expressed how much the experience meant to her. Rather than focusing solely on her own performance, she was quick to praise the people behind the film, describing the team as exceptionally talented.

She spoke about working alongside director Marwan Hamed, screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, composer Hisham Nazih, and the rest of the crew, emphasizing how proud she was to be part of a project that brought together such remarkable talent.

“The movie was made on an international scale, and I’m proud to be part of it”

For Mona, portraying a figure as big as Umm Kulthum was an honor in itself, and she believes the film’s importance lies in the collective work that brought the story to life.

Wahid Hamed Taught Her to Stand Up for What She Believes In

One of the most influential figures in Mona’s career was the late screenwriter Wahid Hamed, who helped shape not only her artistic perspective but also her confidence.

While promoting Ehky Ya Shahrazad, Mona faced harsh criticism in the press for the first time. Unsure how to respond, she turned to Hamed for advice. Instead of telling her to back away from the situation, he reminded her that she had chosen to make the film because she believed in it, and that she needed to stand by what she loved.

His words gave her the confidence to speak up for herself and defend her work. Their relationship went far beyond professional collaborations, too. Mona recalled visiting him simply to sit and listen to his stories, explaining how much she learned from his understanding of people and the world around him.

“Mr. Wahid really shaped my mind, my feelings, and my perspective on art, so much.”

Staying in Your Comfort Zone Leaves No Room for Creativity

Mona’s career could have followed a much safer path. After starring in beloved hits such as Sahar El Layali and Sa’idi in the American University, she had already established herself as a popular actress. But instead of sticking to the roles that had worked for her, she chose to take on more challenging projects, including Ehky Ya Shahrazad.

For Mona, the decision isn’t always about deliberately seeking something different. Sometimes, a script simply speaks to her, and she knows she has to pursue it, regardless of how far it takes her from what feels comfortable.

She also recalled advice from the late Ahmed Zaki, whose words about leaving the comfort zone only made sense to her as she grew older. She eventually understood that repeating the same kinds of roles could limit her growth as an artist.

“As soon as you stay in the comfort zone, all your senses will start to die because you will be programmed, doing the same thing every time.”

Ghada Abdel Razek Is Proof That People Remember Your Work

During the conversation, Mona also took a moment to praise fellow actress Ghada Abdel Razek, whom she described as a strong and distinctive artist. She spoke about how much she admires Ghada’s work and emphasized that an artist’s impact doesn’t disappear simply because they take a break.

Mona pointed out that audiences continue to look forward to Ghada’s return because her previous roles have left a lasting impression. She also expressed her hope that Ghada recognizes just how much people appreciate her and are waiting to see her on screen again.

“Look at how long she’s been away, and people are waiting for her at any moment.”

“Ghada is an artist, a strong artist, and unique in what she does, unlike anyone else; she does it with extraordinary strength and steadiness.”

Working With Ahmed Zaki Meant Watching a Master Become His Characters

Mona also reflected on her experiences working with the late Ahmed Zaki, including Edhak El Soura Tetla’ Helwa, Days of Sadat, and Halim. She recalled how different he seemed each time she encountered him on set, as he became fully immersed in the character he was playing.

In Days of Sadat, Mona portrayed Jehan Sadat opposite Zaki as former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. She admitted that working alongside such established names, including director Mohamed Khan and actress Mervat Amin, felt intimidating at the time.

But her memories of Zaki also highlighted the depth of his talent. Whether he was playing a warm, affectionate father or stepping into the role of a historical figure, he brought such conviction to his performances that Mona felt she was meeting the character rather than the actor himself.

Her reflections offered a glimpse into the experience of learning from the greats and seeing firsthand how dedication and emotional depth can bring a character to life.

Marriage Is About Choosing Each Other Beyond Stardom

Mona and Ahmed Helmy are both major names in Egyptian cinema, but she made it clear that their relationship has never been about who is the bigger star. Looking back on their life together, she explained that she chose Helmy for who he was as a person, rather than for his career or public image.

She also spoke about how they support each other through the demands of their work. When one is busy filming, the other steps in to help with responsibilities at home, from the children’s schedules to everyday family matters. It’s a partnership that requires effort, understanding, and a willingness to make room for each other’s ambitions.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they never disagree. Mona acknowledged that arguments are a normal part of marriage, but what matters is how you work through them and continue to show up for each other.

“When you choose someone to share your life with, they have to be the person who truly sees your real worth, and you see theirs.”

Whether she’s talking about fear, relationships, or the pressure to keep going, one message comes through clearly: you don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward, and there’s always room to grow, dream, and begin again.