Mahmoud Zulfikar

Zulfikar died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 56 on 22 May 1970 in Cairo, Egypt.

Zulfikar married actress Aziza Amir, and together they made a successful duo. After her death he married Mariam Fakhreddine in 1952 and presented her to film industry, she became a famous actress in 1950s. They had one daughter, Iman. He’s the elder brother of Ezz El Dine Zulfikar, film director and producer, and Salah Zulfikar, actor and producer.

Zulfikar's notable films as a writer, director included; A Girl from Palestine (1948), Amint Bi Allah (1953), El Ard El Tayeba (1954), The Unknown Woman (1959), El Robat el Mukadass (1960), For Men Only (1964), Dearer than my Life (1965), Al Khroug Men Al Guana (1967), The Splendor of Love (1968), and Featureless Men (1972) which was released posthumously. Zulfikar’s 1963 film Soft Hands was entered into the 14th Berlin International Film Festival and he was nominated for Silver Bear for Best Director. As a producer, he established his film production company in early 1940s, produced almost 10 films including Miss Fatima (1952).

Zulfikar was a comprehensive artist. He is one of the most talented filmmakers in the history of Egyptian cinema. He started as an actor in 1939, and directed 44 films between 1947 and 1970. Zulfikar's films have been nominated for numerous awards both nationally and internationally. As an actor, his film debut was in Bayayet El Tiffah (1939). He starred in multiple commercial hits mostly as a director as well, including; Ibn El-balad (1942), El-Feloos (1945), Fauq Al Sahab (1947), Al lailu lana (1949), Akhlaq lil baye (1950), Qamar Arba'tashar (1950), and My Father Deceived Me (1951).

Mahmoud Qasdy Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar (18 February 1914 – 22 May 1970) was an Egyptian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He started his career as an architect, before becoming an actor in 1940. He was a major figure in Egyptian film industry.

Mahmoud Qasdy Ahmed Mourad Zulfikar was born on February 18, 1914 in Tanta, Egypt. His father, Ahmed Mourad Bek Zulfikar, served as a senior police commissioner in the Ministry of Interior and his mother Nabila hanem Zulfikar was a housewife. He was the fourth among eight siblings. His brother Mohamed who would grow up to be a businessman, Soad, Fekreya, Ezz El-Dine who would grow up to be a famous filmmaker. They were followed by brothers Kamal, Salah, the famous actor and producer and finally Mamdouh who would grow up to be a businessman.