Fans of fantasy, folklore and cinema got an exclusive opportunity at the ongoing 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) to dive into the captivating world of jinn with renowned Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz and best-selling novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad.

The highly anticipated event, ‘Al Jinn in Literature and Cinema’ offered an in-depth exploration of how jinn – the mysterious beings rooted in Middle Eastern folklore – come to life in both Mourad’s novel Kira and the Jinn and its cinematic adaptation.

Ezz expressed his excitement for his role, saying, “Playing a character that embodies such a rich cultural symbol was both a challenge and a privilege. It’s an opportunity to bring centuries-old folklore into the modern age and resonate with a contemporary audience.”

The actor with numerous accolades in a professional career spanning over 20 years talked about the ‘immersive experience’ in portraying the central character of the film which became the highest grossing movie in Egyptian history.

“Creating a book-inspired character is like entering a pact between the author and myself. The jinn wasn’t just a part of the story; I felt its presence while reading, moving within the words. It’s not just me on the screen—it’s a shared vision, an embodiment of the author’s imagination fused with my own interpretation. Kira and the Jinn is a continuation of that journey, a chance to dive deeper into the shadows and mysteries of the jinn’s world.”

Describing the charm of the character in the actual novel, the 53-year-old actor said: “I need to see myself within the character, to feel his voice resonate in my own thoughts before I can bring him to life. Only when I start thinking, speaking, even dreaming like him, does he truly come alive. The jinn in the novel has a haunting allure; there’s a wildness to imagining it while reading that’s so powerful, so raw. That experience is unmatched by any screen.”

Meanwhile, Mourad discussed his creative process and how he weaved mythological elements with historical themes, giving audiences a fresh perspective on jinn and their place in storytelling.

“Adapting a novel into a film is not about condensing a story; it’s about creating an entirely new work of art. For me, the process begins by exploring what can be personalised for the screen. Each character must feel genuine, true to life. And while the novel sets the foundation [for the movie], it’s not a holy script. Some characters may resonate differently on the page and on the screen. In the novel, a character might be a preference, but in film, they gain an appreciation that only cinema can give.”

The writer – whose breakthrough 2012 novel The Blue Elephant was shortlisted for the Arabic Booker award in 2014 – added, “The world of jinn is endlessly fascinating and layered. Through storytelling, we can explore these mythical figures and their symbolic roles, both in ancient beliefs and in today’s imagination.”

Together, the two went on to further explore the challenges and inspiration behind translating jinn legends from page to screen and on the role of folklore in modern storytelling, and the enduring allure of the supernatural in Arabic literature and cinema.