Mo Ismail: "Daveed" Is a Major Cinematic Experience in My Career

Egypt Today

20-02-2025

Köksal Baba Visits the Giza Pyramids.
The Malayalam film "Daveed: The Story of a Fighter" has achieved remarkable success at the box office in South India, especially Kerala. The box office was sold out in over 300 cinemas, in addition to Mumbai, Hyderabad and the capital. The film stars Egyptian actor Mo Ismail as his first experience, when it comes to South Indian cinema. Ismail is the first Egyptian actor to take part in this industry. Additionally, he has received positive feedback from critics and audiences who welcomed him during the tours in a number of cities in the state. This proves that the sports drama "Daveed" has achieved huge success in the Indian film industry; it has developed new standards for sports dramas in Indian cinema. In just 48 hours, tickets were sold out in cinemas across multiple regions. This resulted in meeting the crowd's requests and the box office was dominated. Moreover, cinemas have added additional screenings as demand for tickets continues to increase. The film is expected to reach over 30 million rupees in its release weekend. Currently, with record occupancy rates, "Daveed" has become one of the most commercially and critically successful Malayalam films of the year. Industry professionals expect that the momentum will only grow stronger as rumors spread, reinforcing its impact on global audiences. The film has been released in the UK, Ireland and the GCC, as it has been screened in 50 cinemas in the UAE, 25 in KSA, 14 in Oman, 11 in Qatar, 5 in Bahrain and 2 in Kuwait. This is reflected in the film's ratings on IMDB as it reached 9.1, in addition to the reviews of audiences and critics. They mentioned that it is one of the most exciting films. It has made Malayalam cinema raise the expectation level. The whole cast and crew are fabulous. It is not just a boxing film; it is a unique case. Besides, Ismail and Anthony Varghese presented some of the most authentic fight scenes. The film has been likened to pure adrenaline. Many emphasized that Ismail brought international appeal to the film; he smoothly blends high-impact motion with emotional depth. Indeed, the team succeeded in creating an immersive and impactful experience which left the audience in awe. As for the rapid success of the film, Ismail stated, "This film goes beyond boxing; it highlights the struggle, resilience and fight that we all face. Taking part in 'Daveed' has been one of the most intense and rewarding experiences in my career, due to artistry, breathtaking fight choreography, and emotionally-charged script. That's why 'Daveed' is regarded as a unique film in Indian action cinema. What makes cinema powerful is seeing the audience relate to the story at a deep level; feeling each beat and every moment of victory". Regarding the leading figures of this success, Ismail said, "Director Govind Vishnu has brought an unparalleled energy and new perspective for sports drama that I've never seen before. Additionally, cinematographer Salu K. Thomas captured every moment with raw cinematic power. Screenwriter Deepu Pradeep has created a catchy narrative that balances high-risk movements with profound human emotions. The artistic genius, fascinating fight scenes, and emotionally-charged script make 'Daveed' a unique film in Indian action cinema". Ismail is the only Egyptian actor in the Middle East to take part in Indian cinema works more than once. Firstly, he participated in the second part of "Khuda Haafiz" which was screened two years ago. The previously-mentioned film is one of the most prominent action films in Bollywood. Secondly, he took part in a film from South Indian cinema (Malayalam); "Daveed". The film is based on continuous suspense; it highlights the struggle between the fighters in carefully choreographed action scenes. There is a strong focus on the fine details of each confrontation, move, and beat. It has become an eye-catching art form with a dramatic plot full of tension and emotions. Daveed sheds light on the world of fighters, as personal struggle is merged with physical challenge in an unpredictable confrontation. Ismail embodies the character of "Senul Ahmedov"; a world-class boxer who is the rival of the film's protagonist Varghese who presents the role of the fighter "Abu". Actually, Ismail presents a catchy artistic experience, for he brings a deep human dimension to the character within a dramatic framework full of excitement and tension. This leads to another confrontation with a champion who masters the art of fighting. The film includes a number of Indian artists; Anthony Varghese Pepe, Kichu Tellus, Jess Kukku, Lijomol Jose, Vijayaraghavan, and Saiju Kurup.