• Mohamed Ramadan, considered the most famous and popular actor today in the Arab world, at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai on July 8, 2021.
    Mohamed Ramadan, considered the most famous and popular actor today in the Arab world, at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai on July 8, 2021.
  • Mohamed Ramadan's new music video ‘Versace Baby’ is shot in Dubai.
    Mohamed Ramadan's new music video ‘Versace Baby’ is shot in Dubai.
  • The singer's music video ‘Versace Baby’ was shot in Dubai
    The singer's music video ‘Versace Baby’ was shot in Dubai
  • Ramadan performs at a concert in Egypt on August 23, 2019.
    Ramadan performs at a concert in Egypt on August 23, 2019.
  • Ramadan launches his single 'Ya Habibi' in Dubai.
    Ramadan launches his single 'Ya Habibi' in Dubai.
  • The red carpet closing ceremony of the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, on December 19, 2010.
    The red carpet closing ceremony of the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, on December 19, 2010.
  • Ramadan poses for photographers after the Alexandria 25 Film Festival on August 10, 2009.
    Ramadan poses for photographers after the Alexandria 25 Film Festival on August 10, 2009.
  • The third Gouna Film Festival, in Egypt, on September 19, 2019.
    The third Gouna Film Festival, in Egypt, on September 19, 2019.
  • Ramadan poses for photographs with his honorary award during a New Year party held at El Shorta club in Cairo, on December 28, 2009.
    Ramadan poses for photographs with his honorary award during a New Year party held at El Shorta club in Cairo, on December 28, 2009.
  • Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan performs at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards in Lagos on November 24, 2019.
    Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan performs at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards in Lagos on November 24, 2019.
  • Egyptian director Saeed Hamid, actors Omar Sharif and Ramadan pose for photographs during a press conference in Cairo for the film 'Al Tareek Ela Darfour', on December 5, 2009.
    Egyptian director Saeed Hamid, actors Omar Sharif and Ramadan pose for photographs during a press conference in Cairo for the film 'Al Tareek Ela Darfour', on December 5, 2009.
  • The opening ceremony of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival on November 20, 2018.
    The opening ceremony of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival on November 20, 2018.
  • A concert performed at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, on August 23, 2019.
    A concert performed at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, on August 23, 2019.
  • Ramadan became the first playable Arab character in Garena's 'Free Fire' mobile game.
    Ramadan became the first playable Arab character in Garena's 'Free Fire' mobile game.
  • A preview shot of Ramadan's character, Maro, in 'Free Fire'.
    A preview shot of Ramadan's character, Maro, in 'Free Fire'.
  • A scene from the series 'Moussa'.
    A scene from the series 'Moussa'.
  • Ramadan's image is projected on to a screen in Times Square, New York.
    Ramadan's image is projected on to a screen in Times Square, New York.
  • A scene from the 2020 drama 'El Prince'.
    A scene from the 2020 drama 'El Prince'.

Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan announces new film ‘Number One’


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Mohamed Ramadan is set to return to the big screen.

The Egyptian actor and singer made the announcement on his social media channel by uploading footage of himself wearing a fur coat and sunglasses on a video shoot.

Ramadan revealed that production has begun on the film, named after his 2018 hit song.

"We have started working on my next movie, Number One, written by Ahmed Adel, directed by Yasser Samy, produced by Youssef Al-Taher," he said. "Cinemas in Egypt and the Arab world are preparing a reception worthy of my audience."

The film is reportedly an action comedy with Ramadan playing the role of a martial artist. The star will also contribute to the soundtrack. With no release date mentioned, the film could hit regional cinemas during the Eid Al Fitr holidays next April, when the Egyptian film industry traditionally releases blockbuster films.

It will be interesting to see if Ramadan can translate his growing popularity on television and music streaming platforms to movie theatres.

Since his last film, 2019’s El Kenz 2: Al-Hobb wa Al Maseer (The Treasure 2: Love and Destiny), which is available on Netflix, Ramadan doubled down on his television work and appeared in back-to-back hit dramas including 2019's Zelzal, 2020's Al Prince and this year's El Meshwar.

At the same time, he has rapidly expanded his fan base by releasing more songs complete with zany music videos, some of which went viral across the region. These include 2020's Corona Virus, a catchy public safety message in light of the spread of Covid-19.

In line with Ramadan's style, the rap and sung lyrics of the single — written by El Power El Aali and Bldozer — are full of vibrant Egyptian colloquialisms and scatting.

"I am the prince, I am the gentleman," the chorus goes. "A mask I wear and gloves as well. I say hello from afar and with no hugs. Coronavirus — that way I am safe."

The following year, Ramadan landed another hit with Versace Baby.

With a video shot primarily at the Palazzo Versace Dubai hotel, the track is an ode to extravagance as Ramadan declares: "Spend money, make it rain... Work out until we feel the pain. Then we party. We don't care. Every day, re-do the same.”

In a previous interview with The National, Ramadan said his diverse career is driven by a desire to be “number one.”

“I am not saying that I am number one, but that is what I work very hard to be," he said. "It's about encouraging you to be the best that you can be.”

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH DETAILS

Barcelona 0

Slavia Prague 0

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Seung-gyu%2C%20Jo%20Hyeon-woo%2C%20Song%20Bum-keun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Young-gwon%2C%20Kim%20Min-jae%2C%20Jung%20Seung-hyun%2C%20Kim%20Ju-sung%2C%20Kim%20Ji-soo%2C%20Seol%20Young-woo%2C%20Kim%20Tae-hwan%2C%20Lee%20Ki-je%2C%20Kim%20Jin-su%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPark%20Yong-woo%2C%20Hwang%20In-beom%2C%20Hong%20Hyun-seok%2C%20Lee%20Soon-min%2C%20Lee%20Jae-sung%2C%20Lee%20Kang-in%2C%20Son%20Heung-min%20(captain)%2C%20Jeong%20Woo-yeong%2C%20Moon%20Seon-min%2C%20Park%20Jin-seob%2C%20Yang%20Hyun-jun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStrikers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHwang%20Hee-chan%2C%20Cho%20Gue-sung%2C%20Oh%20Hyeon-gyu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Napoleon
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Ridley%20Scott%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Joaquin%20Phoenix%2C%20Vanessa%20Kirby%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Updated: May 19, 2022, 8:30 AM