Ahmed Al-Sagga and Yasmin Abdel Aziz... a different encounter on "Khalli Bak Min Nafsak"

Inside one of the “Cinescape” halls at the 360 Mall complex, Al-Rai covered the Arab world premiere of the Egyptian film “Khali Bak Min Nafsak” (Watch Out for Yourself), written by Sherif El-Leithy and directed by Mostafa Al-Touny, with its stars Ahmed Sakka and Yasmine Abdel Aziz in attendance. The two actors captured attention even before the screening began, during a cinematic evening marked by great anticipation for the duo’s return to the big screen, more than two decades after their last collaboration in the 2003 play “Keda Okey.”

As the film began on the big screen—set for its official release across all Cinescape venues on the 23rd of this month—it quickly became clear that it did not rely solely on the popularity of its leads. Instead, the film bet on a premise that subverts the roles audiences are accustomed to seeing them in, offering a blend of action, comedy, and suspense, driven by a fast-paced rhythm filled with surprises and twists.

Sakka portrays “Alaa Al-Bardawili,” a radio broadcaster with a striking presence who offers relationship advice on his show, yet lives in a state of constant fear of commitment in real life. This fear leads him to end his romantic relationships over trivial reasons, until he meets “Farida Al-Shandawili,” played by Yasmine Abdel Aziz. He becomes convinced that she is the calm and gentle woman he has long been searching for, earning the approval of her mother, portrayed by actress Labiba.

However, the film deliberately misleads the audience from the outset. The idealized image of Farida quickly dissolves, revealing a completely different reality: she is a powerful businesswoman and arms dealer surrounded by enemies seeking revenge and trying to eliminate her. Alaa is then shocked to discover that she hides an even bigger secret—she works within an arms trafficking network inherited from her father, thrusting him into a world of chases and dangers he never planned to enter.

The film presents one of its most striking twists through the role reversal between its leads. Sakka, long associated with action and adventure roles, appears here as a peaceful man unable to cope with the dangers pursuing him, while Abdel Aziz takes center stage in action and confrontation scenes, portraying a strong woman fighting to defend herself, while retaining the wit and charm she is known for. This contradiction generates a series of comedic situations.

The film also offers viewers several surprises, most notably the cameo appearance of actor Karim Fahmy as “Kiro.” His appearance occurs in a scene set in a gym, where Farida meets him alongside Alaa, before asking him to intervene quickly to save her. The scene reveals a past connection between the two characters.

The guest appearances did not stop there. The film also features performances by Amr Saad, Eiad Nassar, Magdy El Mesery, Mohamed Tharwat, Mohamed Lotfy, and Bioum Fawaz. Alongside Sakka and Abdel Aziz, the supporting cast includes Labiba, Mohamed Radwan, Michel Milad, and others.

In terms of execution, director Mostafa Al-Touny’s vision aligns well with the film’s nature, relying on a fast pace and smooth transitions between comedy and action, without allowing one genre to overshadow the other.

This directorial approach helped highlight the action sequences, some of which were filmed on location in several European countries, including Cyprus, where the crew shot several chase and action scenes. Filming was later completed in Cairo, giving the film a visual diversity that complements the nature of the events.

Hisham Al-Ghanim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Film Distribution Company and Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Kuwait National Cinema Company (Cinescape), was keen to attend and welcome the two stars before the film’s screening. He said, “I have a gentle reproach for Yasmin from the entire Kuwaiti public, for delaying your visit. As the saying goes, reproach is proportional to affection.”

He then addressed Al-Sagga, saying, “You have a history with us at Kuwait National Cinema Company through the film (Timur and Shafika), which was the first Arab film converted and screened in digital format in our cinemas back in 2007.”

Before the film’s premiere, the two stars made a point of meeting with the media and the audience present in the hall at a press conference, answering all questions directed at them—whether related to the film or to the arts in general—with great openness and smiles that never left their faces.