My favourite things: Sallum Haddad

It never occurred to me that I would meet Sallum Haddad at Abu Dhabi Airport. What a coincidence! He smiled and said jokingly: "Hurry up! The sooner the better," when I told him I would have an interview with him for Gulf News one day.

After a short chat he gave me his mobile number, then went to buy some gifts at the Duty Free.

While boarding, shouts of joy echoed through the plane and whispers went round: "Here is Al Zeer! Here he is! Look... Al Zeer."

Al Zeer is a heroic character in Arabic folk literature which Sallum portrayed so convincingly that he attracted tens of millions of viewers across the Arab world.

Sallum has portrayed many equally prominent figures in Arabic culture, including Abu Zid Al Hilaly who, like Al Zeer, was a pre-Islamic tribal leader, Al Mutanaby, the renowned knight and poet, Al Muttadad Bi-lah, the great Arab leader in Andalusia and the contemporary legendary poet Nizar Qabbany (produced by Dubai TV and aired last year).

Now he's making arrangements to produce a film about the intellectual and national Algerian hero Abdul Hamid Bin Badis, but none can match Al Zeer. His personification of this legendary character struck such a chord that the public nicknamed him Al Zeer.

A few months before Ramadan, actors, actresses and directors are fully engaged in preparing for the holy month, a time for marketing drama, comedy and historical epics. Sallum is still shooting the heroic epic and romance Antara Bin Shaddad, one of the most popular sagas in the Arab world — a massive production with contributions from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq and Syria. It will be screened by 17 satellite TV stations next Ramadan.

Sallum towered above his competitors in high historical drama, a genre he mastered that deals with historical events in a manner that criticises present and contemporary politics.

Yet he achieved parallel success and won admiration in other genres. His hits Al Kishani Public Bathroom, Silk Bazaar, Death Coming to the East and Back to Haifa are still running. Moreover, the widespread success of his serial Callers At Hell's Gates, which uncovers terrorism and Islamic extremists (produced by Abu Dhabi TV and aired last Ramadan) led to the sequel Callers At Hell's Gates 2 which will be released during Ramadan.

On history

I love history and heritage and I enjoy reading poetry and folk tales. The desert and the semi-desert have much attraction for me. An endless space where reality marches and hypocrisy withdraws. That's why I'm interested in historical drama and characters. I feel them real and nearer to myself.

On Jihad Saad

Jihad Saad (a famous actor and TV presenter) is a close friend. We communicate with each other with gestures. Together we've filmed several works which were greatly acclaimed. While shooting I guess what he wants, and so does he. This contributes to our success as much as it reflects the intimacy of our friendship.

On Laham

Celebrity Duraid Laham, one of the top artists in the Arab world, has done a lot for Syrian drama. His hit movies helped the local Syrian dialect cross the borders. Now it's loved and understood all over the Arab world. He's a genius.

On qabbany

Nizar Qabbany is a giant in Arab culture. He's one of the symbols that the Arab world is thirsting for. I was so impressed by his biography that a lot of him remained with me.

He's my favourite poet and his poems have become classics.

On Ayman Zidan

Ayman Zidan (famous actor and former presenter of the TV show Waz-nak Zahab (Gold as much as you weigh) on the Abu Dhabi satellite channel) is a talented actor and his contributions are great. I don't blame him for moving to production and running the Al Cham production company. He has done well and has much experience in this concern.

On his favourite song

My favourite song is Aya Zuno (Is he thinking?), written by Nizar, set to music by the classical composer Mohammad Abdul Wahb and sung by Najat Al Saghira. Sweet memories come alive when I listen to it.

On food

I'm the kind of man who has a good appetite for good food. I can't diet but I had to before shooting Nizar Qabbany. I could reduce my weight by about 20 kg, a good achievement. It was the first time I went on a diet. I think it was a remarkable achievement in my life