Popular Emirati actor Salem Alawi Ebrahim recently played the role of the UAE's first comic book hero. He spoke to Amelia Naidoo about his craft.
Featuring an all Emirati cast – a first in the UAE – comic book hero Ajaaj came to life in a theatre production recently held at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre at the Mall of the Emirates.
Ajaaj: 2020 features popular actor Salem Alawi Ebrahim who plays Ajaaj (meaning sandstorm in Arabic) and Syriana actor Mustafa Ebrahim Al Yassiri, 35, who plays the grandfather. His son Humaid plays a young boy who is able to summon Ajaaj.
Twelve-year-old television presenter Shaikha Khalifa plays his twin sister. Notes catches up with the star of the show Salem Alawi Ebrahim before a performance.
How did you get into acting?
I've been a freelance actor since 1991; I joined Dubai Police in 1994 but I was passionate about acting and left the job to pursue it full time. I also joined a company with a good salary but I didn't like it because of its long fixed hours. There was no time for acting.
Did you study at university or get any formal training for acting?
No, it comes naturally to me. I've done a lot of TV commercials both here and abroad and with time you become better.
Was it difficult finding work in Dubai?
I got my first job after responding to a newspaper advert and I was in a photo shoot. After that I started getting more work; as you do more work such as TV commercials, companies start to remember you and they get in touch with you when a suitable role comes up. I'm also well known in Media City and with production houses.
What advice would you give people wanting to pursue acting?
I'd advise them to give it their all. Acting means putting in a lot of hard work. It's not only about being famous. It's not a part-time job. If you can, study acting when you are young. I would also like to do this though.
Are there any commercials that people recognise you from?
The one that made me well known was the Rainbow Milk advert. It was shown on TV and in the cinemas and everybody knew my face. I played a hero, of course, and Mustafa was also with me in this commercial.
Would you like to act in movies and television shows?
I'd like to go into TV and cinema. I feel that I'm strong enough to start with it.
How did you get the role of Ajaaj?
Mustafa was already cast as the grandfather and when they asked him if he knew someone who could play Ajaaj, he immediately remembered me. Even when I spoke with the director he agreed that I looked just like the superhero. Even when I told my friends, they said, "Yeah, we think he looks like you." My kids (aged 15, 11 and 4) are very proud because I'm playing a superhero at the same level as Batman or Spiderman.
Do you often get approached by people who recognise you?
People do recognise me sometimes. Even if they don't know they tell me, "We don't know where we have seen you but your face is familiar". After Ajaaj they will recognise me more.
Do you think more Emiratis will want to go into acting after seeing Ajaaj?
To be honest, this job is without security. Many Emiratis don't want to go for it because it doesn't pay as much as it does in Europe or America. People get tired and discouraged when they are rejected after a couple of auditions. You could do 10 auditions and only get one job out of it.
Ajaaj is extremely muscular. How do you ensure you look like him?
I'm very sporty but when they selected me I increased my efforts in the gym and told my trainer that I needed to bulk up. I also play squash and run, cycle, swim and go mountain climbing.
Fast facts
Name: Salem Alawi Ebrahim
Age: 37
Born in: Ras Al Khaimah
Profession: Actor
Acting debut: 1991
Current role: Lead role in Ajaaj: 2020
Famous for: Role in a Rainbow Milk commercial screened on television and in movie theatres
