Salah Zulfikar
Egyptian actor and producer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Salah El-Din Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar (Arabic: صلاح ذو الفقار, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [sˤɑˈlɑːħ zol fɑqˈqɑːr]; January 18, 1926 – December 22, 1993) was an Egyptian actor and film producer.[1][2] He started his career as a police officer in the Egyptian National Police, before becoming an actor in 1956. He is regarded as one of the most influential actors in the history of Egyptian film industry.[3][4] Zulfikar had roles in more than hundred feature films in multiple genres during a 37-year career, mostly as the leading actor, he was one of the most dominant leading men in the Egyptian cinema.[5]
Salah Zulfikar | |
|---|---|
| صلاح ذو الفقار | |
 Zulfikar, c. 1972 | |
| Born | Salah El-Din Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar (1926-01-18)18 January 1926 |
| Died | 22 December 1993(1993-12-22) (aged 67) |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Other names |
|
| Alma mater | Egyptian Police Academy |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1956–1993 |
| Organizations | |
| Notable work | Full list |
| Spouses | Nafisa Bahgat
(m. 1947; died 1988)Bahiga Mekbel (m. 1976) |
| Children | Ahmed • Mona |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Zulfikar family |
| Honours |  Order of the Republic - Grand Cordon Order of Sciences and Arts |
| Executive director of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation | |
| In office 1957–1962 | |
| Deputy President of the Syndicate of Artists | |
| In office 1986–1990 | |
| Police career | |
| Allegiance |  Egypt |
| Branch |  Egyptian National Police |
| Service years | 1946–1957 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Awards | Medal of Military Duty |
Zulfikar worked in theater throughout his career, playing celebrated theatrical roles. Late in his career, he had considerable success in television roles. He established his first film production corporation with 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 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 and the majority of his films were a box office success.[6][7] 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 hundred Egyptian films of the 20th century.[8][9][10]
He was one of Egypt's heroes in its battle against the occupation while serving in the police. His son, Egyptian entrepreneur Ahmed Zulfikar, mentioned in a 1994 press release that his father participated in the guerrilla war in Ismailia against the British in 1944, and his patriotism was without limits. Afterwards, Zulfikar volunteered in the Battle of Ismailia of 1952, and in the 1956 Suez War. 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.[11] After becoming an actor in 1956 and film producer in 1958. He started his career as a part-time actor with temporary permits from Ministry of Interior. Later, he went on to be a full time actor in late 1957. He appeared in feature films, short films, stage, television and radio serials. Zulfikar is one of the most famous artistic figures in Egypt and the Arab world.[12] His contributions to film, television and stage 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.[13][14]