Khaberni - Since her first appearance on screen, Menna Shalaby has proven that she is not just a passing actress or a pretty face among her generation, but an artist who enjoys a unique presence that combines simplicity and depth, innocence and boldness, innate talent and conscious choice. Throughout her career, Shalby did not aspire for sole leading roles or dazzling limelight; instead, she was drawn to roles that touched the core of her heart.
Shalby seems to act for herself first, with the aim of healing, discovering, or experimenting, and then invites the audience to join her in this experience. Perhaps for this reason, Menna has become one of the actresses closest to the soul of Egyptian and Arab viewers, because she does not act on them but embodies them.
After her great success in the movie "Hepta", Menna Shalaby returns in the sequel "Hepta 2" to continue the story from a different perspective, characterized by maturity and calmness. Menna Shalaby does not aim to duplicate the success, but to contemplate love from her current perspective, with its share of fatigue, losses, and a passion that defies extinction despite surrounding circumstances.
In her talks with "Alarabiya.net" and "Alhadath.net", Shalby revealed that the film does not represent a repetition of the previous part, but rather an extension of her personal contemplation on changing emotions and the impact of time on humans. She also spoke about the details of her character and the behind-the-scenes of her work with director Hadi El Bagoury.
Menna Shalaby explained that her participation in "Hepta 2" represents an important milestone for her, feeling that the work presents a different state than the first part, and addresses a deeper human question: Does the shape of love change as we change?
Shalby confirmed that the film does not seek to compete with the success of the previous part, but to continue the idea with a new spirit, noting that the audience will be surprised by the boldness of the approach and the authenticity of the emotions in the new stories.
She added that what attracted her most in the scenario are the "silent spaces" that speak volumes without words, explaining that the director dealt with the camera as a contemplating eye, not just a means for showing.
Menna mentioned that her character in the film is named Sarah, a woman who undergoes an internal struggle between her desires and her abilities. She added that the role is close to her human zones, but differs in details. For "Sarah" is not an ideal model, but a person striving to be honest with herself, and that is the hardest.
Menna Shalaby affirmed that she does not believe in the idea of an "ideal lover," noting during the special screening of the film: "There is no ideal lover in reality, but there are those who provide us with a sense of security, and that is more than enough."
She added that the film presents love not in a dreamy manner but with its harsh reality at times, because "although people's feelings differ, there is still inside us the nostalgia for the first love."
She concluded her statements by emphasizing that art for her is a human experience before being a profession, stating that every work teaches her something about herself. She affirmed that she enjoys working with director Hadi El Bagoury and takes pleasure in it.
