Ahmed Abdullah Mahmoud spoke about artists’ wages in the past.“The Egyptian Acting Professions Syndicate” intervenes quickly to contain the crisis.

Egyptian actor Ahmed Abdullah Mahmoud sparked widespread controversy in recent hours after making statements described as shocking, in which he addressed the late star Rushdy Abaza, referring to how he used to receive his pay in a manner that caused significant backlash. This prompted the Egyptian Acting Professions Syndicate to intervene swiftly to contain the situation.

In a decisive move, the syndicate’s council, headed by Ashraf Zaki, decided to refer the young actor to an official investigation, reaffirming its rejection of any misconduct that may affect iconic figures of the arts, especially amid escalating angry reactions across social media platforms, where many considered the remarks an insult to a major artistic figure known as the “Don Juan of Egyptian cinema.”

Sarcastic toneThe crisis began when Ahmed Abdullah Mahmoud appeared on a podcast, where he spoke during an entertainment segment about artists’ wages in the past, before making claims delivered in a sarcastic tone about the way Rushdy Abaza used to receive his fees, attaching exaggerated figures in a joking manner. This did not sit well with the public and instead triggered a wave of sharp criticism.

Official apologyAs the crisis intensified, the actor quickly moved to contain the situation by publishing an official apology on his Facebook account, explaining that “his expression failed him,” and affirming his full respect and deep appreciation for the late star, stressing that no offense was intended.

This incident comes at a time when the actor is experiencing strong artistic momentum, following his participation in the series “Ali Clay” during the last Ramadan drama season, alongside Ahmed Al-Awadi, Dorra, and Essam El-Sakka, a work that received notable engagement.

Despite this artistic presence, the repercussions of the current crisis remain under close watch, amid concerns that it may cast a shadow over his rising career, especially given the audience’s sensitivity toward any perceived disrespect toward iconic figures who shaped part of the history of Arab art.