Sedky Sakhr's Next Big Role? Well, He’s Eyeing a ‘Psychotic Villain’

Egyptian star Sedky Sakhr has built a reputation as the quintessential 'good guy' on-screen. He’s charismatic, he’s kind, and let’s face it - he’s arguably the embodiment of a green flag. But is it all an act? It is not. Sakhr is pretty much a chill guy - as the TikTok doomscrollers amongst us would put it. 

Over the past few years, Sedky Sakhr has comfortably slipped into a variety of dynamic roles. From the charismatic con-man Karim in Kamel El Adad +1 to the complex and morally-driven Lotfy Aboud in Rakam Serry, his versatility has been evident. His role as Marwan in 2022’s Rivo, however, holds a special place in his heart. "He’s a character that’s incredibly complex and multi-layered. He grew up with music, and so in a sense, I could closely relate to his childhood," he tells SceneStyled.

"I really became one with this character – I understood his problems, I delved deep into his psyche. Finding a purpose, then losing it, and feeling completely stranded is something I could understand and empathise with." For Sakhr, Marwan was his breakthrough role: "It put me on the radar in such an incredibly different way."

When he’s not on set, however, you’ll find him humming tunes to the potted plants on his windowsill or DIY-ing his next home project. But when it comes to his craft, Sakhr is anything but laid-back. Though his roles often put him on the right side of the moral compass - minus the last minute plot twist of actually being a con-man, the Egyptian star is yearning for something different, a role that occupies the mercurial waters of grey morality.

An actor and musician who has cultivated his craft since his earliest days, the pillars upon which Sakhr’s career were built trace themselves to childhood reveries. "I remember literally everything about those early years," the Egyptian star tells SceneStyled, his voice tinged with palpable nostalgia. "The shows, the stage time." His introduction to the arts began with poetry recitations, toy xylophones, and school theater productions, which led to his first acting gig on the radio at the age of 15, alongside the legendary Lobna Abdelaziz, a role that was initially slated for one episode, later turning into a prominent main character that would last seven years. 

Back then, Sakhr would take time off of school and work to pursue his passion on stage, perfecting his cadence, magnifying his nuances, and whistling away on the harmonica. Even as he pursued a career in engineering for almost two decades, his artistic drive was always there. "Growing, growing, and growing, until it settled in the foreground." When the opportunity to commit fully to his passion presented itself, he embraced it without hesitation.

For his most recent role in ‘Rakam Serry’, Sakhr took on the character of Lotfy Aboud, a morally-driven lawyer with a complex, detective-like personality. In preparing for the role, he delved deep into the world of law, observing real courtroom sessions on YouTube to understand the nuances of how professionals in the field behave.  The role required Sakhr to embody a man whose strong moral code shapes every action he takes. “Lotfy is a righteous person. He has a temper, but a big heart to balance it out,” he explains. This duality—an intense, often fiery persona paired with a softer, more vulnerable side—was key to making Lotfy feel like a truly multidimensional character, the sort of complexity Sakhr seeks.

Yet Sakhr’s favourite scenes in Rakam Serry showcase the more relaxed and personal side of Lotfy Aboud. “I really enjoyed the scenes where I was dressed in a Jallabeya," he recalls. "I was just relaxed, making coffee, having intimate talks with Yasmin Raeis' character.” These moments, quiet as they were, circle back to Sakhr’s own desire for a calm, slow life.

Do they, however, reflect Sakhr’s cinematic aspirations? Not quite.

"I'd love to portray a villain; a serial killer maybe - or just a psychotic person," he muses, his voice gleaming with a hint of mischief, and though the answer may come across a tad concerning, Sakhr’s reasoning is far from it. "I want to portray the kind of character where you really can sympathise with and know where they're coming from - like, you're a horrible horrible person, but I get you." he jokes. “Think Taxi Driver, or perhaps The Joker, that’s a grey area I’d like to occupy.” Sakhr notes.

Dreams of psychotic on-screen villains aside, as Sedky Sakhr looks ahead, his focus remains on embracing both his craft and the calmness of his everyday life. While his acting career continues to flourish, it's the simple pleasures—gardening, quiet moments at home, and finding balance—that ground him.

Cover Star: Sedky Sakhr 

Director: Adam Abd ElGhaffar

Talent PR: Carrots Company | Marwa El Sawy