If you have watched Shahid’s incredible Roz & Layla, you are already familiar with the villainous character of Ibrahim! Portrayed by the stand-up comedian and rising star Mohamed Salem, his breakout character was such a success. We got to interview Salem and learn all about his comedic journey and acting debut alongside Nelly Karim and Yousra!

1- Your YouTube channel has been breaking records with over 90 million views; what's been the most surprising or unexpected fan reaction you've received, and do you ever use this for your comedic content? 

When I first started uploading my videos, I occasionally received comments completely unrelated to the content, including bullying and cursing. At first, I would delete these comments because I didn't see them as constructive criticism. However, after a while, I decided to leave them, and something unexpected happened. I received a wave of cursing comments, but instead of harming my channel, it actually propelled my video to become the #3 trending video in Egypt! It was a strange experience to have people cursing me and yet gaining so much attention and bookings as a result. It taught me that the algorithm doesn't distinguish between positive and negative engagement but focuses on overall engagement. It was definitely a weird and eye-opening experience.

2- You grew up in Alexandria. What are the most memorable moments from those days that you feel truly shaped your comedic style?

Growing up in Alexandria, I had a very classic Alexandrian life. One of the most memorable aspects of my childhood was going to the beach every day, all year round. Even in the winter, my friends and I would go to the beach, not necessarily to swim, but to have barbecues, take walks, and play football. The beach was a big part of my upbringing, and while I'm not sure exactly how it influenced my comedic style, I believe it significantly shaped who I am today.

3- Your debut in acting was alongside household names like Youssra and Nelly Karim; what lessons in acting have you learned on set?

Acting alongside household names like Youssra and Nelly Karim was an incredible opportunity for me, and I learned so much from them, especially from Youssra. Even just being in their presence on set was a valuable learning experience. I observed how effortlessly Youssra blended into her character and then seamlessly transitioned back to being herself. It looked so easy, but I realised the level of craftsmanship and skill involved in creating that kind of performance. It was truly inspiring.

4- What challenges did you face in portraying a villain as your first character?

Portraying a villain as my first character was a major challenge. To make things even more daunting, my first scene was the final one in the whole series, and it involved acting opposite Youssra and Nelly. Without the support and guidance of BAFTA winner Director Adrian Shergold and BAFTA nominated writer Cris Cole, I don't think I could have pulled it off. Their expertise and encouragement helped me navigate the complexities of playing a villain. And honestly, the fact that they handpicked me for this role gave me confidence and added significance to the experience.

5- How different is it between delivering comedy on stage and on screen?

Delivering comedy on stage and on screen are two completely different experiences. On stage, you have immediate feedback from the audience. You can gauge their reactions, hear their laughter, and see their faces light up. It's a real-time interaction that informs you whether your material is working or not. In contrast, on television, you're speaking to a camera, and you don't have that instant connection with the audience. You're left wondering how they will react and what their feedback will be. Additionally, on stage, you have to be yourself and rely on your own personality, whereas on television, you must embody the character you're playing. These two forms of comedy require different writing styles and delivery techniques.

6- How do you believe humour helps build connections, and in what ways has your comedic journey allowed you to connect with your audience on a deeper level?

Humour has a remarkable power to connect people. When we laugh together, it creates a shared experience and breaks barriers. Comedy has the ability to make people happy, influence their perspective, and leave a lasting impact. I feel fortunate to be able to create this kind of art and bring smiles to people's faces. It's incredibly rewarding when someone approaches me and tells me that something I said resonated with them on a deeper level.

8- Can you share a funny or memorable behind-the-scenes moment from Roz and Layla that perfectly captures the chemistry on set?

There was a particularly funny and memorable behind-the-scenes moment during the filming of Roz and Layla. In one scene, my character, Ibrahim, was holding a gun for the first time. He decided to search on Google for how to handle a gun. Once he felt confident, he started performing some exaggerated and comical movements with the weapon. The entire crew burst into laughter, and even the director asked me to repeat the scene because it was so hilarious. Unfortunately, the funniest part didn't make it into the final edit, but it was a great moment highlighting the great chemistry and camaraderie on set.

9- What piece of advice would you give aspiring comedians?

My advice to aspiring comedians is to stay true to yourself and always strive for originality. Avoid stealing jokes from others and instead focus on sharing your own unique experiences and perspectives. You'll inevitably face criticism or negative reactions from the audience sometimes, but remember to brush it off and keep going. 

10- How did comedic styles evolve from your early stand-up days in Alexandria to now, and how do you navigate such changes?

Comedic styles have evolved tremendously since my early stand-up days in Alexandria. When I first started in 2007, simply having someone stand on stage with a microphone and share funny opinions was incredibly impressive to the audience. However, with the advent of social media, everyone can now create humorous content and make videos. The comedy landscape has become saturated, and trends are constantly changing. This presents a challenge for comedians to stay original and avoid simply following the crowd. Personally, I navigate these changes by continuously exploring new comedic avenues, experimenting with different formats, and staying connected with my audience to understand what resonates with them. It's important to adapt and evolve while still staying true to your comedic voice.

11- What's been the most surreal milestone for you before sharing the screen with such iconic celebrities?

One of the most surreal milestones in my career was being one of the pioneering figures in Egyptian stand-up comedy. It was an incredible experience to see the art form gain recognition and popularity in my country. Additionally, producing and performing in the first-ever Arabic stand-up comedy special in Egypt's history, "Stand up Masr," is a standout moment. The special has garnered over 90 million views on my YouTube channel, and I'm immensely proud of this achievement.

12- What other characters would you like to play after Roz and Layla?

After portraying Ibrahim in Roz and Layla, I would love to play the character again because I find him deeply layered and fascinating. However, if there's an opportunity to explore something different, surprisingly, I strongly desire to delve into action roles. The character of a hitman, in particular, intrigues me with its complexities and potential for dynamic storytelling.

13- If you could collaborate with any comedian, living or dead, who would it be? 

If I had the chance to collaborate with any comedian, whether living or dead, it would be Fouad Al-Muhandis. He holds a special place in my heart, and I would be thrilled to work with him on a play. Observing his backstage routines, witnessing his process, and experiencing everything he brings to the table would be an incredible learning opportunity.

15- How did you prepare for this role; did you take any acting workshops beforehand?

In preparation for this role, I had the privilege of taking an acting workshop with Dr. Mohamed Abdel Hadi. This workshop helped me hone my acting skills and provided a solid foundation. Additionally, the director and writer of the project played a crucial role in guiding me and ensuring that I portrayed the character in a manner that aligned with their vision and met their expectations. Their input and guidance were instrumental in shaping my performance.