Egyptian actress, Laila Elwy Egyptian superstar Laila Elwy is very happy with the response to her new television show, "Napoleon wa Al Mahrousa" (Napoleon & El Mahrousa). "It was popular across all audiences, transcending age and gender . Most critics agreed that the series was excellent," she said in an exclusive statement to Arabstoday.
"I was confident that the show would succeed because it was directed by Tunisia's Shawki Mejri," she added.
Elwy also tells us about her character in the series, “Nafisa Al Bayda”, her only son, Khalid, and her vision for the future of Egypt.
"Shawki Mejri is the one who nominated me for the role of Nafisa Al Bayda, the mother of Al Mamaleek in the show. I was very happy when I heard that he thought I was best suited to character, and when we sat together and talked about it, I immediately agreed," begins Elwy.
“The script and dialogue by Azza Shalabi also attracted to the character. When I began reading the first episode I couldn't stop until the end. The professionalism of the other production units such as the screenplay, direction, and the massive amount or effort being put into a historical production all helped in convincing me to join the show," she said.
The Egyptian actress said she prepared for the role by studying the script and research done by historian Helmy Shalaby.
"What attracted me the most to being a part of this Ramadan's TV season was the work of young artists. For example, Yousef Al-Sharif 'Raqam Maghool' (Unknown Number) have brought together a group of heroes such as Mahmoud Abdel Moghny, Amir Karara  and others. 'Taraf Talt' (Third Party) was also good and had top stars, and of course my own 'Napoleon wa Al Mahrousa', which I think has international appeal," she said.
When asked about her upcoming projects, Elwy said: "I am still reading some scripts, but have not yet settled on any of them. I hope I get to work in a film next."
The actress also said she was extremely sad when she heard of last week's attacks in Egypt's Sinain peninsula that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers.
"This incident proves that Egypt is targeted at home and abroad, and time will reveal in whose interests these acts are. I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs," she said.
The actress was earlier lambasted by critics when it was alleged that she had called for amnesty for former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Elwy clarified her stance by saying: "I did not ask for amnesty for Mubarak, but compassion due to his old age. We ask for  mercy for the living and the dead, and going to Tahrir Square in the beginning of the revolution doesn't necessarily cancel that out. I too went to Tahrir Square to ask for change, like millions of my fellow Egyptians, but I expressed my demands differently."
"The political situation on the street is bogged down by frustration and anticipation. People look to the future with a lot of anxiety. In the absence of a clear vision for the future, there is still however a stock of  mixed emotions on what we expect. Change is coming, which I hope will be for the better of Egypt," she said.
While talking about her son, Khaled, she said with a smile: "He is gifted by nature, but I don't want him to restrict himself to acting."
"He has a ear for music and plays the guitar...God help him with what he loves and chooses to do," she said proudly.
As the holy month of Ramadan is fast nearing to an end, Alawi said she will spend the Eid al-Fitr holiday with her family.
"I'll spend Eid with my husband, son, mother, sister, nieces and closest friends," she said.