From Sabreen to Mona Zaki: The Women Who Stepped Into Umm Kulthum’s Shoes
Few voices have shaped a region the way hers has. Umm Kulthum wasn’t just a singer — she was a movement. A force of nature who redefined what it meant to be powerful, elegant, and unapologetically herself.
Now, actress Mona Zaki is stepping into her story with the upcoming film El Set, set to premiere in December 2025. The film promises a fresh, emotionally rich take on the star’s life, far from your average biopic.
But Mona isn’t the first to take on this towering role. Over the years, several actresses have tried to capture the spirit of Umm Kulthum, each adding their own layer to her legacy. Here’s a look back at the women who’ve portrayed El Set before Mona Zaki takes her turn.
Sabreen – Umm Kulthum (1999)
This was the portrayal that defined a generation. Sabreen’s performance in the hit TV series was praised for its depth, and the show became a massive success.
The series didn’t just show Umm Kulthum’s public persona; it also explored her rise to fame and the challenges she faced as a woman navigating a male-dominated music industry.
Sabreen’s performance was so powerful that she stepped away from acting for six years afterward, unsure if any role could ever match it.
Fardous Abdel Hamid – Kawkab Al Sharq (1999)
Released the same year as Sabreen’s series, this film offered a different kind of portrait.
Fardous Abdel Hamid took the story into more personal territory, highlighting Umm Kulthum’s romantic and political life, areas often left untouched.
Salma Gharib – Al Andaleeb: Hekayat Shaab (2006)
In this series about the life of Abdel Halim Hafez, Umm Kulthum appears briefly but memorably. Salma Gharib’s appearance was short, but she captured the essence of Umm Kulthum with quiet grace. It was more of a respectful nod than a deep dive, but one that stood out.
Yasmine Raees – Al-Bahth An Um Kalthoum (2017)
This one flipped the script. Yasmine didn’t play Umm Kulthum directly, but rather “Ghada,” an actress cast in a film about her and struggling with the pressure of portraying someone so monumental. The film blurred the lines between character and actress, powerfully reflecting on identity, expectation, and womanhood in Arab societies.
Shot in Morocco and Austria, the filmmakers were also deeply committed to getting it right. They visited Umm Kulthum’s village in Egypt, met with her family, and dug into her childhood and early career — all to better understand the woman behind the voice.
Mona Zaki – El Set (Coming December 2025)
Now it’s Mona’s moment. El Set, backed by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority as part of its Big Time Fund initiative, is aiming big. The film will offer a human and artistic lens on Umm Kulthum’s life, diving into her emotional world, her challenges as a woman breaking boundaries, and the strength it took to command not just a stage — but an entire era. With Mona Zaki’s depth and emotional range, expectations are sky-high.
Why It Matters
Playing Umm Kulthum isn’t just about singing in tarab style or dressing in vintage glam. It’s about embodying the power, politics, and pressure of being a woman who changed the cultural map of the Arab world. Each actress who has taken on this challenge has helped us see a different side of Umm Kulthum, from the public figure to the private fighter.
And with El Set, we’re about to get another perspective. One that might just hit closer to the heart.
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