Egyptian actor Ahmed El Saadany shared his philosophical view on life and fate, stating: “Marriage, divorce, children, livelihood, and life… I believe that people don’t always have many choices in life, so I let myself go with the flow, like riding a wave on a board and seeing what happens.”

El Saadany added that many aspects of life are imposed on a person without prior planning, emphasizing that he approaches these situations with acceptance and a surrender to life’s currents.

His father, Salah El Saadany, shaped his character and inspiration

Ahmed spoke lovingly and gratefully about his late father, the esteemed actor Salah El Saadany, explaining that his father shaped both his human and intellectual character: “I am completely a copy of my father. When I was young, I didn’t fully understand him—he was very cultured and would say things I couldn’t grasp—but over time, I began to understand and appreciate him.”

He also recalled an important piece of advice from his father at the start of his acting career: “When I told him I wanted to act, he said the most important advice: ‘Be completely sincere in what you do; if you are, people will believe in you.’”

“My mother is a symbol of limitless giving”

Regarding his mother, he praised her as a “sea of generosity,” adding: “I learned something from her that isn’t easy to apply, which is giving. She always wants to give to others, and if she doesn’t, it doesn’t feel like a problem to her. She is a rare example of human generosity and family dedication.”

Early emotional crisis and therapy experience

El Saadany also revealed that he went through a severe emotional crisis at the age of 16, which led him to see a therapist: “I loved someone deeply and didn’t know how to move on. I went to a doctor once, and it didn’t help, but the experience benefited me.” He explained that his early exposure to therapy came from his father taking him to a doctor in childhood, helping him overcome psychological barriers: “I learned from a young age to seek help from a specialist if I couldn’t handle something—it’s not shameful.”

Childhood memories and lasting psychological impact

Reflecting on his childhood, El Saadany said: “I used to sleep in the same room as my sister, and her bed was next to a wall covered with drawings of a scary forest… I couldn’t sleep.” He emphasized that these small details left long-term psychological effects, noting that he dislikes celebrating his birthday: “I hate my birthday. On the night of my birthday, at midnight, I turn off my phone and disappear.”