Khaberni - Artist Elham Shaheen appeared as a guest on the program "Between the Lines", presented by media personality Yumna Badrawi on the "TEN" channel, where she discussed a group of controversial issues that have recently dominated the discussions on social platforms. She began her talk by clarifying her position on the criticisms that targeted her nephew's wedding and what was rumored about alcohol consumption at the party.
Elham pointed out that the wedding was not conducted in an Islamic manner, but rather was a celebration for young people who wanted to enjoy their time and drink alcohol freely, stating: "We are not in a position to religiously judge people as long as the person does not cause harm to others, the important thing in the end is human behavior and not intervening in the personal choices of others".
Elham touched upon the attacks on the phenomenon of social media, which she sees has made people intrude into each other's privacy in a terrifying manner, where mutual respect has disappeared and everyone is intruding on details that do not concern them. She mentioned that these means have turned into a tool for violating sanctities instead of being a means for positive communication, expressing her significant disappointment with the state some have reached in tracking others’ slip-ups and capturing them in spontaneous moments for the purpose of defamation and ridicule.
Furthermore, Elham Shaheen spoke about the controversy that arose around her dress at the "El Gouna Film Festival", questioning with disapproval the pleasure some find in photographing someone in a moment they were not prepared for, or exposed to an uncontrollable situation. She emphasized that focusing on a fluttering dress or a spontaneously uttered word illustrates a desire to offend rather than to critique, confirming that the real audience appreciates the effort and hard work that the artist puts into their career, not those who hunt for minor errors to turn them into material for mockery and a trend.
Elham Shaheen: My life and my family's private life is nobody’s business
Elham Shaheen confirmed that her private life and her family's life belong to them alone, and that she would not allow anyone to impose their moral guardianship on her. She pointed out that she lives spontaneously and frankly, and is not ashamed of what she does as long as she is convinced of it. She called for the need to return to values of respecting privacy and leaving the creation to the Creator, as the obsession with celebrities’ lives and details of their private celebrations in such an exaggerated manner has become a pathological phenomenon that strays far from the cultural and human refinement she hopes for society.
Elham Shaheen said: "I have made 101 films and my career has been a series of gradual stages, after giving it all my heart is fulfilled, and I am at peace with every stage in my life, and every character I played has left inside me a lesson and an experience". She added: "Sometimes my frankness annoys some, although I see it as one of my greatest flaws but it is honest, and when I look in the mirror and notice the effects of time on my face and neck I do not feel any discomfort, nor do I accept cosmetic surgery".
Moreover, Elham Shaheen announced her support for organ donation after death, considering it a continuous charity and a great good, confirming "that this matter has been proposed for 16 years in Egypt, and that all religious institutions do not object to it, and the family is completely comfortable with the idea".
Elham Shaheen: The movie "The Lady" made me love Umm Kulthum more
Regarding Mona Zaki’s movie "The Lady", Elham Shahein said: "The work does not defame Umm Kulthum but has increased my love for her, and I believe that Mona Zaki has put tremendous effort into the role".
In one of the most impactful moments of the episode, she spoke about her late mother, stating that she wore black for ten years in mourning for her, and she delivered her an apologetic message for not always being there with her due to work circumstances and political attacks she faced during difficult periods.
