Sha’ban ‘Abd Al Rahman: I caused the January Revolution

Musician Sha’ban ‘Abd Al Raheem has confirmed that he will return to cinema soon through a film titled “Matloub Maganeen Fawran” (“Lunatics Needed Immediately”). Sha’ban explained “The film had been blocked by security and regulatory authorities under Mubarak’s regime due to the fact that it contained comments which those bodies had described as offensive towards authorities and critical of the leadership.” Sha’ban made those comments in an interview with the MBC website.The musician also explained that he is optimistic that regulatory authorities will soon allow the commencement of filming especially as those bodies have a more open outlook following the departure of the previous regime. The screenplay for the movie was authored by Mahmoud al-Torky and Wael Kamal.With regards to allegations that he was being hypocritical due to the fact that he had sung for the ousted president in the past and was now criticizing him in his new film title, Sha’ban said: “Comments that are critical of political authorities are one thing while satirical comments towards leaderships are something else.” He also added “I belong to the people and I am a modern musician. I caused the January Revolution; when the price of sugar rose, I sang and refused the prices and said that we elected the president and the government so that they help us and when they fail to lower prices they thus have no purpose.”