🎭 Naghm Saleh Explains Her “Kawkab El Shark” Character
Naghm Saleh has attracted attention after discussing her role in the theatrical production “Khayal Mareed,” where she plays a character named “Kawkab El Shark.”
The unusual name immediately raised questions because of its similarity to the famous nickname associated with legendary Arab singer Umm Kulthum, who is widely known as “Kawkab El Shark,” or “Star of the East.”
Saleh clarified that the name is connected to the events of the play and is not intended to insult or mock Umm Kulthum.
❤️ She also emphasized her admiration for the legendary singer, explaining that she grew up listening to her music.
🌟 Why Did the Character’s Name Attract Attention?
The name “Kawkab El Shark” naturally reminds audiences of Umm Kulthum.
However, the theatrical character exists within a completely different fictional context and is part of the comedy presented by the play.
Because comedy often relies on wordplay, unexpected situations and exaggerated characters, the similarity in the name becomes part of the theatrical setup rather than a direct portrayal of Umm Kulthum.
This has made audiences curious about how Saleh will use the character within the storyline.
🎬 Naghm Saleh’s Growing Acting Career
Saleh’s participation in “Khayal Mareed” comes after several appearances across television, cinema and theater.
Her credits include productions such as “Mamlaket El Harir,” “Sothem,” “Tiatro,” “El Bab El Akhdar,” “Abu El Arousa” and “Ela Ana,” in addition to the theatrical production “Dawar Bahr.”
This variety has allowed her to explore different characters and performance styles.
😂 The Story of Khayal Mareed
“Khayal Mareed” is a comedy centered around Dr. Taha, played by actor Hesham Maged.
The character deals with his patients in an unusual way, leading to a series of comic situations and unexpected developments.
The production also relies on interaction and direct engagement with the audience, adding another dimension to the theatrical experience.
👥 A Large Ensemble Cast
The play stars Hesham Maged alongside Mohamed Abdel Rahman, Hanady Mehanna, Ahmed El Rafie, Mohsen Mansour, Dina Diab, Waleed Abdel Ghany and Naghm Saleh, among others.
The variety of characters gives the production room to create several interconnected comic situations throughout the performance.
✍️ Who Created the Play?
“Khayal Mareed” is written and directed by Mohamed El-Mohamady, with Nour El-Din Mehran and Taha Zaghloul also credited for writing contributions.
The production is presented by Fikr under producer Yara Hassan.
🏛️ Khayal Mareed Moves to the New Capital
Following its successful summer performances, the production moved to the Drama Theater at the City of Arts and Culture in Egypt’s New Capital.
The scheduled performances included September 24 and 25, 2026, followed by additional performances on October 1 and 2.
The move represents another stage in the play’s theatrical journey and places the production in one of the New Capital’s major cultural venues.
🎟️ A Strong Audience Response
Before moving to the New Capital, “Khayal Mareed” attracted strong audience interest during its summer season.
Several performances were reported as sold out, helping the production continue to new venues and audiences.
The opening night at the City of Arts and Culture also attracted several well-known artists, including Asser Yassin and Mai Kassab, who attended the performance.
👨👩👧👦 A Production for Different Generations
Hesham Maged has also described the play as suitable for both children and adults.
That approach allows the production to appeal to a broader audience while maintaining its comic structure.
For actors, this type of performance requires strong stage presence and the ability to maintain the rhythm of the show while responding naturally to audience reactions.
🎤 Naghm Saleh and the Challenge of “Kawkab El Shark”
For Naghm Saleh, the role provides an opportunity to explore a different type of comic character.
The unusual name itself has already become part of the audience’s curiosity surrounding the production.
However, Saleh has clearly separated the fictional character from Umm Kulthum, emphasizing her personal admiration for the legendary singer.
🎼 Umm Kulthum’s Influence on Saleh
Saleh’s comments about Umm Kulthum also revealed something about her musical upbringing.
She described Umm Kulthum as a great artist and said she grew up listening to her songs.
Her comments therefore provide important context for understanding why she was keen to clarify that “Kawkab El Shark” was not created as an insult or direct parody of the legendary singer.
✨ Why Are Audiences Curious About the Character?
Characters with unusual names often become a natural source of curiosity, particularly when their names evoke famous cultural figures.
In “Khayal Mareed,” the combination of an unconventional character name, a comedy-driven storyline and a large ensemble cast creates several elements for audiences to discover on stage.
Ultimately, the character’s impact will depend on how Naghm Saleh develops her performance and how the name itself becomes integrated into the story.
🎭 “Khayal Mareed” brings together comedy, theatrical interaction and a diverse cast, while Naghm Saleh’s “Kawkab El Shark” adds another layer of curiosity to the production.
And behind the unusual name is an actress who has made it clear that her admiration for Umm Kulthum is genuine—and that the character belongs entirely to the fictional world of the play.
