Khattaf’s Faten Ahmed on Dreaming Big, Embracing Challenge and Looking To Her Characters’ For Strength
From her lifelong passion for acting to starring in roles in acclaimed productions from the Arab world, the actress shares her journey here with Bazaar Arabia
In just a few years within the movie industry, Faten Ahmed has been privileged to collaborate with esteemed filmmakers from the region, she once dreamt of working with. Today, her name adorns the credits of significant productions helmed by top Emirati filmmakers such as Nayla Al Khaja and, most recently, Ali F. Mostafa.
In Mostafa’s latest martial arts drama, Khattaf, Faten assumes a commanding role, solidifying her position as a standout talent from the Emirates.
In celebration of the series’ launch, Bazaar Arabia spoke to Faten, an actress whose trajectory serves as a success story to come out of the country. But her path to fame was far from effortless.
On Growing Up In The UAE…
Egyptian by nationality and a UAE expat who truly became one with the Emirati culture, Faten grew up in Abu Dhabi, playing between the palm trees of the Liwa Oasis, the beaches of Sir Bani Yas island, and the residential neighbourhood of Al Muroor.
Like many who are raised in the UAE, for Faten, the gulf state is home.
Spending her formative years in the capital, she was raised amongst Emiratis, where she learnt the dialect she later went on to widely use on screen.
While she mainly focused on her studies growing up, Faten always had a precious dream in the back of her mind, the urge to pursue acting as a career.
“I always wanted to become an actress, I was pushing myself to sing, act, and dance every chance I had,” the now Dubai resident said.
And her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. As a child she was vetted to be part of a talent show on Egyptian television – but to her distress, her family didn’t allow her to be a part of it.
Struggles Convincing Her Family
Her father was the hardest to persuade. “He is a father of six girls and he has always been protective of us. So I understand that it was hard for him,” the actress shared.
Showing no signs of giving up her dream to be on camera, taking things slow was Faten’s solution. “It was a bit tricky but I started with commercials. They are light-hearted and funny, so that’s how I got my father used to seeing me on television,” she said.
The advertisements she acted in slowly paved her way into the entertainment industry, eventually leading her to take on roles in series and films.
Notably, she played a leading character in the Abu Dhabi production Banat Masoud, and even went on to become the official female face of Expo 2020 Dubai, a moment she said that made her father immensely proud.
Working With Her Dream Filmmakers
Her tenacity caught the attention of esteemed Emirati screenwriter and director Nayla Al Khaja, who cast Faten in a pivotal role in the 2024 horror-drama Three, marking her foray into international cinema.
The 2024 horror-drama was Faten’s break into the world of international cinema. Renowned filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s call soon followed. Well, the ring came after a nervous audition that Faten thought she may have fumbled.
To her delight, she had secured the role of Meera, the sole female lead in Ali’s latest endeavour, Khattaf, a martial arts drama.
Playing The Role Of Meera in Ali F. Mostafa’s Khattaf
When Faten learnt that Meera, the main character’s love interest in the show, required her to explore the world of MMA fighting, it only added to her drive.
The preparations to play the character didn’t end there. She had one week to not only perfect horse riding, but also build an emotional bond with the animal that would seamlessly translate on camera.
“I had seven days to be an expert horse rider, and shoot a bareback riding scene,” she explained, admitting that “it was very challenging.”
Yet, it was Meera’s unwavering perseverance — a quality Faten identifies with — that fueled her commitment to the role.
She spent hours watching MMA fights. “It was an entirely new world to me,” she said.
But that’s one of the things she enjoys the most about her job. “Acting is a very interesting job – every time you get to play a different character you get new information. You become an expert in something,” she said.
And there’s no stopping Faten. The artist is already looking into her next projects. “I want to get into the Egyptian film industry. I have an advantage that I can speak in both Emirati and Egyptian dialects, so I’d love to work there,” she said.
Whether gracing screens with international productions or enriching cinema in the region, Faten’s trajectory embodies a narrative of resilience and ambition.
As for those excited to watch her portrayal of Meera in Khattaf, the 15-episode series can be streamed on adtv.ae