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Salah El-Din Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar (, ; 18 January 1926 – 22 December 1993) was an Egyptian actor and film producer. He started his career as a police officer, before becoming an actor in 1956. He is regarded as one of the most influential actors in the history of Egyptian film industry, who had notable roles in over a hundred feature films in multiple genres during his 37-year career, mostly as the leading actor. Late in his career, he had considerable success in television roles.
Born to a Nobility, Zulfikar graduated from the Egyptian Police Academy in 1946. He was one of Egypt's heroes in its battle against the occupation while serving in the police. His son, entrepreneur Ahmed Zulfikar, mentioned in a 1994 press interview that his father participated in the guerrilla war in Ismailia against the British Forces in 1944, and described his patriotism as having been “without limits”. Afterwards, Zulfikar volunteered in the Battle of Ismailia of 1952, and in the Suez Crisis. He was awarded the Medal of Military Duty (first class) from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, in appreciation for his efforts in serving his country.
In 1955, he began his career as a part-time actor with temporary permits from Ministry of Interior to work in his first film; Wakeful Eyes released in 1956. Later, he went on to be a full time actor in late 1957. He established his first film production company with his elder brother Ezz El-Dine Zulficar in 1958. He ran his new business under the trade name of Ezz El-Dine Zulficar Films. In 1962, he founded Salah Zulfikar Films Company and operated in Egypt and the Arab world for almost 16 years. Through Zulfikar's two production companies, which he ran throughout his 20-year career as a film producer, he won numerous awards, with the majority of his films becoming box-office successes. He was one of the most dominant leading men in Egyptian cinema. Despite starting his acting career as a film actor, he also worked in theater throughout his career, playing some celebrated theatrical roles. Zulfikar is one of the most famous artistic figures in Egypt and the Arab world. His contributions to film, television, theatre and radio as an actor and film producer earned him a worldwide reputation that made him one of the most influential Middle Eastern and Arab public figures in the 20th century. In 1996, in the centenary of Egyptian cinema, ten of his films as an actor and five of his films as a producer were listed in the top one hundred Egyptian films of the 20th century.
Zulfikar excelled in his studies and was an athlete. He was one of Egypt's champions in boxing and won the King's Cup in featherweight in 1947. Besides boxing, he played shooting and he was an active player in the Police Academy football team. He initially joined the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, to please his father, who wished Zulfikar to become a doctor like his grandfather. After his father became sick, he transferred his admission to the Police Academy so he could stay in Cairo beside his father. He graduated in 1946. Salah Zulfikar was appointed to the Menoufia Security Directorate and the Prisons Authority, specifically Egypt Prison, and also worked as a teacher at the Police Academy.
In 1949, Zulfikar started teaching and became a professor at the Police Academy. He was in charge of the unit of fresh students. He had a saying "the unit of fresh students is a manhood factory". He was a skillful officer known for his professionalism and high moral standards., 1956|left]]In 1952 he volunteered to join the police unit in Ismaïlia which was under attack by the British Army. The Egyptian police force refused to hand over their weapons to the British forces, which led the British army to bring in tanks to capture the building. The ensuing battle of Ismailia was later commemorated and is now celebrated in Egypt on 25 January of every year as National Police Day. Zulfikar received a National Award of Honor for his bravery.
In Suez Crisis, Zulfikar took the initiative leading 19 of his students in the Police Academy and volunteered as commandos resisting the tripartite attack by the British, French and Israeli armies. Zulfikar also received the Medal of Military Duty (first Class) from President Gamal Abdel Nasser for risking his life for his country with bravery and honor.
In 1958, he was cast by Youssef Chahine for Jamila, the Algerian (1958). Zulfikar acted in both films with temporary permits. After his success, he had to choose his career path. He asked the minister for resignation but instead was promoted to lieutenant colonel and granted an early pension for his impressive record. His second movie after Wakeful Eyes was Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's Return My Heart (1957), it was his first regional success, the film was telling the story of the Egyptian revolution of 1952 and became a yearly celebration on the Egyptian state television yearly on the 23rd of July. In 1958, Youssef Chahine chose him to share the lead with Magda al-Sabahi and Ahmed Mazhar in Jamila, the Algerian, in which he played the role of Azzam. The film showed the struggle of the Algerians against the French occupation during the Algerian War. In 1959, Zulfikar starred in six films including Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's The Second Man, and it earned him praise from Cairo critics. Followed by Hassan al-Imam's Love and Adoration alongside Taheyya Kariokka, and his acting earned him favorable reviews. He played the lead in Forbidden Women (1959), a box-office hit alongside Huda Sultan. The commercial success of one film after another made Zulfikar a bankable star.
In 1961, Zulfikar starred in six films, the romantic comedy; That's What Love Is alongside Sabah was a great box-office success. Another romance was A Storm of Love (1961) co-starring Nahed Sherif in her first leading role, and the film was a commercial failure. He played his first villain role of his career, starring in Me and my Daughters (1961) alongside leading veteran actor Zaki Rostom supported by Nahed Sherif and Fayza Ahmed, and the film was a success. The following years, Zulfikar achieved success throughout the Middle East through multiple film genres. He shared the lead with Mariam Fakhr Eddine in horror film The Cursed Palace (1962), a box-office hit. He was paired with Soad Hosny for the second time in Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's A Date at the Tower (1962), the film was a box-office hit. In 1963, his role as Issa El Awam in Saladin the Victorious by Youssef Chahine was praised, and in the same year, he played Doctor Hamooda in Mahmoud Zulfikar's Soft hands (1963) with his performance earning him state's award for best actor in a leading role. The film was a participant in 14th Berlin International Film Festival in 1964. Zulfikar starred in A Husband on Vacation, a romantic comedy providing the female lead Laila Taher her first leading role. In Italian cinema, he played a role of an Egyptian police officer in the Italian film; Secret of the Sphinx (1964) directed by Duccio Tessari. After the film's release, Tessari asked Zulfikar to settle in Italy to earn better opportunities in Italian cinema but he refused and preferred to stay in Egypt. On stage, Zulfikar's debut was the 1964's A Bullet in the Heart alongside Laila Taher, it was based on Tawfiq al-Hakim's novel under the same name. The play was shown for a whole year in Cairo theaters.
The romantic drama; Aghla Min Hayati (1965) was successful and his performance is regarded as one of Zulfikar's greatest. It earned him state award for best actor in a leading role. In the following years, the film turned out to be a romantic classic and the two main characters of Ahmed and Mona became a symbol of love and affection among Egyptians. Fatin Abdel Wahab's romantic comedy trilogy; My Wife, the Director General (1966). Followed by My Wife's Dignity (1967), earning him state's award for best actor in a leading role for his performance. And My Wife's Goblin (1968). The audience loved the duo and all films were a financial and critical success.
In 1967, Zulfikar starred in the political play; Rubabikia (1967) alongside Taheyya Kariokka and Nabila Ebeid achieving critical and financial success. In 1968, Zulfikar shared the lead with Magda al-Sabahi and Kamal el-Shennawi in Kamal El Sheikh's The Man Who Lost His Shadow, the film earned critical recognition. In the next year, he starred in the comedy; Good Morning, My Dear Wife (1969). The film was a commercial hit in theaters in Egypt and the Arab world. This encouraged Zulfikar to give an opportunities to a new generation of actresses co-starring in his next films, such as Nelly, Mervat Amin and Naglaa Fathi
In 1971, he starred in the crime thriller; The Killers by Ashraf Fahmy, a box office success in Egypt. In his six films of 1972, he starred in diversified roles such as; Featureless Men (1972) alongside actress Nadia Lutfi, the film was shot in 1970, released two years later and made good numbers in the box-office. In Lebanon, he was paired with Sabah for the sixth and last time in Paris and Love (1972), and the film was a commercial hit, the highest-grossing film in Lebanese theatres of the year, however it was received with mixed reviews by critics. Zulfikar partnered with Soad Hosny for the fourth time in Those People of the Nile (1972) directed by Youssef Chahine. On stage, Zulfikar played the role of a bachelor in the successful comedy; A Bachelor and Three Maidens (1972).
In 1973, Zulfikar played the lead in the Syrian romance Memory of a Night of Love (1973) alongside leading actresses Nelly, Nabila Ebeid, Muna Wassef, and Hala Shawkat, the film was successful in Syrian and Lebanese theaters. He played the role of his fellow Egyptian King Horemheb alongside Geraldine Chaplin in the short film Nefertiti and Akhenaton ( Nefertiti y Aquentos) (1973) directed by Raúl Araiza. Zulfikar achieved box-office success in Egyptian theaters in his psychological drama The Other Man (1973) in which he was also the executive producer. He starred as Dr. Nabil, the psychiatrist treating a bunch of young men with serious issues by taking them on a summer trip to start treatment in In Summer We Must Love (1974), a comedy co-starring Nour El-Sherif, Samir Ghanem, Magda El-Khatib, Abdel Moneim Madbouly, Lebleba and Madiha Kamel.
A villain role, was Hafez in The Guilty (1975). In 1977, Zulfikar starred the famous miniseries; The Return of the Spirit, aired in the holy month of Ramadan in 1977 on Egyptian and Arab television networks, based on Tawfiq al-Hakim's 1933 novel under the same name, the miniseries was popular in Egypt and the Arab world, it is considered one of Zulfikar's most successful television works of his career. In 1978, he co-starred in Roadless Traveller (1978), with an ensemble cast that included Mahmoud Yassin, Magda El-Khatib, Mahmoud el-Meliguy, Gamil Ratib, and others. He also played the leading character of a police detective investigating a homicide in the crime thriller Al Raghba Wal Thaman (1978) alongside Shoukry Sarhan and Nahed Sherif.
He shared the lead in; A Moment of Weakness (1981), alongside Hussein Fahmy and Nelly. Zulfikar portrayed a complex character and his performance was glowingly reviewed by critics and the film performed moderately in the box-office. In 1982, he shared the lead with Nour El-Sherif in the crime thriller; The Peacock directed by Kamal El Sheikh, and it garnered critical and financial success, earning him the state's award for best actor in a leading role for his performance and for the second time in a raw.
After his two consecutive awards, Zulfikar turned down many scripts and spent three years hiatus from films, until returning in 1985 upon Youssef Chahine's insisting request, on his fifth venture with Chahine, he played the role of the blind Cheikh Hassouna in Adieu Bonaparte and the film was recognized by French critics in Cannes Film Festival. The next year, he starred in the television film Min Fadlik Wa Ihsanik (1986), a successful adaptation of Naguib Mahfouz's novel.
In 1988, Zulfikar, 62 at the time, lived a prosperous year in his career. He co-starred in four films and starred in two television films including, the popular socio-drama; Monsieur le Directeur (1988) with a supporting cast that includes Laila Taher, Mahmoud el-Gendy, Mustafa Metwalli, among others. The film was popular with both audiences and critics. He shared the lead in Said Marzouk's Days of Terror (1988), playing the character of a rich religious seller living in Al Hussein neighborhood, a crime thriller alongside Mervat Amin, Mahmoud Yassin and Zahret El-Ola.
In television, Zulfikar's final television role was the lead in El-Awda El-Akhira, aired on Egyptian television for the first time in 1993. In the same year, he acted in Road to Eilat, Nader Galal's The Terrorist and Ashraf Fahmy's Five-Star Thieves. These were his final cinematic roles. He appeared in a special appearance as Admiral Fouad Mohamed Abou Zikry, the Commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Navy in the war drama Road to Eilat. He played the role of Dr. Abdelmoneim the head of the family which the terrorist decided to hide in his house in The Terrorist which he could not continue filming. Zulfikar played the lead in Five-Star Thieves as Galal Suleiman, an honest bank director dealing with a major fraud. All three films were released posthumously in 1994.
The Zulfikar brothers produced their first film; Among the Ruins (1959) in which his portrayal of Ahmed earned praise from critics. The film was directed by Ezz El-Dine Zulficar and was commercially and critically successful, and was listed later in the Top 100 Egyptian films. Zulfikar co-produced and starred in the box office hit; The Second Man (1959) of Ezz El-Dine Zulficar, featuring Salah Zulfikar in two roles alongside Rushdy Abaza, Samia Gamal and Sabah. In 1960, they produced Malaak wa Shaytan starring Rushdy Abaza and directed by Kamal El Sheikh. The film was another breakthrough to Rushdy Abaza after his success in The Second Man. Followed by The Holy Bond (1960) starring Sabah, Salah Zulfikar, Emad Hamdy, and directed by his older brother Mahmoud Zulfikar, the film later became an Egyptian cinematic classic. Their next venture was Tewfik Saleh's Struggle of the Heroes (1962), which was later listed in the Top 100 Egyptian films.
Salah Zulfikar Films produced three films in the first year of operations. The newly born company's first venture was Ezz El-Dine Zulficar's A Date at the Tower (1962) including Salah Zulfikar and Soad Hosny and Fouad el-Mohandes in the leading roles. His next venture was Niazi Mostafa's I am the fugitive (1962) starring Farid Shawqi, followed by Letter from an Unknown Woman (1962) of Salah Abu Seif, starring Lobna Abdel Aziz and Farid al-Atrash. All of which achieved box office success.
Four years later, Salah Zulfikar Films produced the 1966 film; My Wife, the Director General directed by Fatin Abdel Wahab. The film did justice to the main female character and allowed her to be a director over men. The film was a commercial and critical success for Zulfikar as an actor and producer, and turned out to be a cinematic classic. He won the Egypt's best film producer award for 1966. The film won the best film award from the Egyptian Catholic Center for Cinema, and was later listed in the Top 100 Egyptian films. Another 1966 box-office hit was Zulfikar's Three Thieves, the film tells three separate stories of three thieves waiting for a ruling from the judge, a role that was played by Yehia Chahine. Each story is describing the reasons why every character turned out to be a thief. And the three stories were written by Ihsan Abdel Quddous, and directed by three different filmmakers; " Sareq Al Dahab" by Fatin Abdel Wahab, " Sareq Al-Autobus" by Hassan al-Imam, and " Sareq Ameto" by Kamal El Sheikh. Zulfikar starred in a " Sareq Al Dahab" alongside Hind Rostom. In 1969, Salah Zulfikar Films produced A Taste of Fear starring Shadia and directed by Hussein Kamal, and it caused an uproar in Egypt at the time. The film was banned at first. But when Zulfikar took the film and watched it with the President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who watched the film for another time, he finally allowed its release in theatres. The award-winning film achieved financial and critical success in Egypt and the Middle East and was later listed in the Top 100 Egyptian films.
He worked as executive producer for The Other Man (1973), in which he also took the leading role. With an ensemble cast that includes Shams al-Baroudi, Zubaida Tharwat, Kamal el-Shennawi, and Emad Hamdy, the film was financially successful. Salah Zulfikar Films produced I Want a Solution (1975) starring Faten Hamama and co-starring Rushdy Abaza. It was discussing the women's rights in divorce. The film achieved box office and critical success and contributed substantially in changing the personal status law in Egypt related to procedures in family courts, women's right to unilateral divorce and the establishment of a new family courts law in favor of women. It was Zulfikar's last film production and he won the state award for best producer for the second time, and later, this film was listed in the Top 100 films in the centenary of Egyptian cinema.
| Order of the Republic (Grand Cordon) | |
| Order of Sciences and Arts (1st class) | |
| Medal of Military Duty (1st class) |
Mahmoud Qassem wrote: "Salah Zulfikar explained the character running between lightness and movement through a very simple and attractive performance", a 1999 critical review on Zulfikar's role in The Second Man (1959). "A cool guy who hides behind his humor a great deal of seriousness, courage, and optimism, whether in life or death." 2009 Khaleej magazine critical review on Zulfikar's performance in Jamila, the Algerian (1958). Salah Zulfikar presented the character of Issa Al-Awam in a gentle and light manner that is likable and patriotic at the same time. Zulfikar is a handsome actor, exuding youth and vitality. Ashraf Tawfik reviewed on Zulfikar's performance in Saladin the Victorious (1963).
In 1975, Tharwat Abaza reviewed: "I cannot miss to congratulate Salah Zulfikar, for his top role, as well as a wonderful performance", on Zulfikar's performance in The Guilty (1975). Film critic Tarek El Shennawi stated: "Salah Zulfikar was able to prove that he is a genius and talented actor, he had multiple roles in drama, comedy and action, all of which he managed to master." interview aired on On E, 19 January 2021. "True talent never die, and the talent of Salah Zulfikar exploded with the most beautiful films, and he remained for the last day of his life working in film", Ahmed El-Samahi in Al-Ahram. "Zulfikar is significantly remembered for his role as a poor Arabic teacher who gradually introduces Ahmed Mazhar to reality and responsibility." 2017 Egypt Today's critical review on Zulfikar's performance in Soft Hands (1963).
He was admired by fellow policemen of his generation and the generations followed (Zulfikar was a professor in Police Academy) for his bravery. His courage as a veteran national hero during his service as a policeman earned him a respectable reputation through the whole militarized spectrum. In the Cairo Citadel, a big photo of Salah Zulfikar and his colleagues stands in the police museum, in honor of the heroes of the 1952 battle of Ismailia against the British. This battle's day is celebrated as the National police day on 25 January from every year.
Zulfikar was one of the most respected actors of his generation. Cairo cinematic figures admired him for his extreme discipline, his dignity, his integrity, and because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, throughout his illustrious career. This particular rare parallel success in both acting and film production earned him the title of "The Genius". All-time favorite co-star in film, television and on stage, long-time friend, Laila Taher stated in a press release: "He was a gentleman, he treated everyone who worked with him as if they're family, God had granted him respect, humility, and shouldering responsibility. He was a bold and courageous man that feared no one. Salah Zulfikar spoke on Egyptian youth in an Egyptian Television interview in 1985:
He is a cultural icon with enduring popularity. His rise to national attention in the 1960s had a profound effect on Egyptian culture. His collaborations to social issues earned him prominence throughout the Arab world. Zulfikar was also considered a male sex symbol. Egyptian actress Bushra stated: "Salah Zulfikar was my fairy tale "knight of dreams" (a title he owned from the 1960s)." He appeared opposite many of the most popular actresses of their time. Mariam Fakhreddine was a favorite actress of his to work with, and he partnered with her in thirteen films. He starred with Nelly in seven features. Shadia and Sabah worked with him six times, and he was paired with Soad Hosny in five productions. Nadia Lutfi, Huda Sultan and Mervat Amin worked with him four times. He also starred with each of Magda al-Sabahi, Zubaida Tharwat and Hind Rostom in three productions, and he was paired twice with each of Faten Hamama and Naglaa Fathi.
Zulfikar was one of the most consistent box-office performers in Egyptian cinema, remaining a bankable star for over two decades. Hemmat Moustafa wrote in: Salah Zulfikar: a Journey into the life of a genius artist: "Salah Zulfikar, one of the most prominent cinematic artists of the twentieth century, who enriched Egyptian art as an actor and a producer with many masterpieces that made him remain in the memory of both the Egyptian and global cinema, and in the conscience and memory of the masses." Neama Shafik wrote in "Stars I Knew: Fifty Years with the People of Art": "Salah Zulfikar passed away at the age of 67, with 250 films, 70 television serials, and seven plays, Zulfikar was absent from us physically, but his works will remain before us as an expression of presence, not absence, may God rest his soul." Prior venturing into the acting world, he was a professor at the Police Academy. This added to Zulfikar's allure. His dreamy eyes, fit physique and good acting placed Zulfikar way up on the Hot List. Salah Zulfikar has always been a women's rights defender and expressed his belief through his films and has produced more than one film, doing justice for Egyptian women.
In Cairo, there are two streets named in honor of Salah Zulfikar, including one in Abbassia, the neighborhood where he was born, and one in New Cairo. Several celebrations took place in his name and he was awarded posthumously in several artistic events. In February 2022, Cairo Opera House invited Karim Zulfikar, a businessman, and the youngest grandson of Salah Zulfikar to be the speaker in a seminar titled "The Zulfikar brothers collaboration to cinematic history", attended by a large crowd celebrating their admiration to the legacy of the influential film star.
Zulfikar's second marriage was to actress Zahret El-Ola in 1957, but they were divorced two years later. The love story that brought him together with the singer and actress Shadia was the most famous of all, and they were married while filming in 1964. Together, Zulfikar and Shadia formed an artistic duo through which they presented many successful films in Egyptian Cinema, and Zulfikar produced more than one film with Shadia in the leading role. Their marriage ended in divorce after seven years. Later, he married his last wife, Bahiga, and their marriage continued until his death in 1993.
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