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Blockbuster film

ABU DHABI - It's the biggest hit this summer and there seems to be no let up in audience interest.

The Egyptian movie Eli Bali Balak (What you and me have in mind), has now been running full house for four successive weeks in the capital and movie buffs just can't get enough.

The blockbuster film has notched millions at the box-office in Egypt and other Arab countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait and Palestine.

Eli Bali Balak is a story of a simple man who's been given the post of a prison general manager. All departments have blended together seamlessly to create this critically-acclaimed film.

The star of the film, Mohammed Saad, better known as 'Al Limbi' for his role as a drug addict in the famous movie by the same name, told Khaleej Times in an interview: "Eli Bali Balak aims at portraying the character of Al Limbi - the illiterate and frustrated Egyptian guy - in a different way."

"Eli Bali Balak attempts to search the good parts in Al Limbi and the useful things the character can offer to society if provided the opportunity to do so," said Mr Saad, who has proved to his critics with this film that he has got what it takes to entertain, enchant, inform and move people emotionally. Mr Saad hit the silver screen when he was 13 years old and has never looked back since. The 39-year-old Egyptian comedian was nominated as the 'Best TV Actor' in 1993.

He picks his roles with care because "I have always been keen on quality rather than quantity and I believe comedy and romance are the types of movies preferred by people in the Arab world."

The success of the film has been attributed to him and, according to many, he may just walk away with the best actor award at the upcoming Cairo International Film Festival. The film took eight million Egyptian pound to make but its phenomenal draw has seen the cash till ringing many times over.