Rasha Sharbatji Clarifies the Behind-the-Scenes Exclusion of Kinda Hanna from 'Al-Nawilati' and Responds to Samer Al-Masri's Accusation

The Syrian director Rasha Sharbatji has settled the controversy surrounding the exclusion of actress Kinda Hanna from the series 'Al-Nawilati', which is directed by her brother Yazan Sharbatji under her artistic supervision, confirming that the decision was made for purely artistic reasons.

Sharbatji's clarification came after previous statements from Kinda Hanna, who said she was excluded from the work after filming several of her scenes, describing what happened as a "forced and shameful exclusion," hinting that the series' star Samer Al-Masri was behind the decision.

Firm Denial of Any Interference

During her appearance on the program 'Tafa'ulakum' with media personality Abla Salama, Rasha Sharbatji categorically denied the validity of the claims regarding Samer Al-Masri's interference in the exclusion decision, asserting that these allegations are "completely unfounded."

She added that star Samer Al-Masri, despite his artistic stature, does not have the authority to impose his opinion on the selection of actors in the works she supervises artistically, emphasizing that casting decisions are subject to a clear directorial vision.

Drama Considerations Behind the Decision

Sharbatji explained that Kinda Hanna filmed a limited number of scenes before the exclusion decision was made, noting that a review of the dramatic vision prompted her to reconsider her choice for the role.

She indicated that one of the main reasons was the age difference between the leads, which does not serve the plot, as the role requires portraying a mother of a daughter in late adolescence, which she felt could weaken the element of visual credibility before the audience.

Communication and Possible Compensation

The Syrian director confirmed that she personally communicated with Kinda Hanna to explain the justifications for the decision, pointing out that the production company expressed its willingness to compensate her financially in an appropriate manner, while keeping the door open for future collaborations.

Controversy Accompanies the Success of the Work

The controversy coincided with the remarkable success that the series 'Al-Nawilati' is achieving in the Ramadan drama race, as it garners high viewership rates and dominates discussions across social media.

Between the narrative of the "unprofessional" exclusion as described by Kinda Hanna and Sharbatji's assertion that the decision was purely artistic, the disagreement remains within the framework of two divergent viewpoints, while the work continues to maintain its strong presence on screen.