Ramadan 2025 has delivered yet another social comedy-drama, Nos El Shaab Esmo Mohamed, airing on MBC Masr and available for streaming on Shahid.

With a blend of humor, relationship entanglements, and over-the-top drama, the show is already making waves—but not just because of its content.

The title itself sparked a bizarre controversy, and if anything, the outrage is more ridiculous than some of the show’s most chaotic plot twists.

The Name Controversy: A Whole Lot of Noise Over Nothing

Before we even get into the actual show, let’s address the elephant in the room: the outrage over the title. Some people were genuinely convinced that Nos El Shaab Esmo Mohamed was some kind of attack on Islam, because, apparently, using the most common male name in Egypt as a title must mean there’s a hidden agenda.

Spoiler alert: there isn’t.

Essam Omar, who plays the lead, had to clarify in multiple interviews that the title reflects how common the name Mohamed is in Egypt and the Arab world—nothing more, nothing less. The idea is that the character’s experiences are universal, not that there’s some deep, controversial meaning behind it.

In fact, the title was almost changed due to censorship objections, and it took intervention from the Minister of Culture and Ashraf Zaki for it to be reinstated.

If only people put this much energy into real issues instead of conspiracy theories about TV show titles.

Now that we’ve cleared that up—let’s get back to whether the show itself is actually worth watching.

A Fun Yet Familiar Premise

The series follows Mohamed (Essam Omar), a seemingly average guy whose love life is anything but average. He’s already married—with a pregnant wife, no less—yet he’s also in love with another woman, whom he’s actively pursuing for marriage.

As if that weren’t enough, a third woman, Naglaa (Dounia Sami), is demanding he marry her in secret.

And just when you think it couldn’t get messier, his future mother-in-law (Rania Youssef) adds more pressure to the equation.

It’s a wild ride of relationship chaos, toxic decisions, and moments that will make you want to scream at your screen. But despite all this, the show doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it oddly entertaining.

The biggest issue? Mohamed’s character isn’t exactly convincing as the “ladies’ man” the show wants him to be.

He’s awkward, unsure of himself, and doesn’t exude the kind of charisma that would realistically have multiple women chasing after him.

We’ve seen Essam Omar in stronger roles before where his charm made sense in context. Here, though? It’s a little hard to believe.

Strong Acting, But Uneven Performances

Essam Omar does his best with what he’s given, and while he plays the “clueless guy caught in chaos” well, the writing doesn’t always do his character justice.

His best moments come when he leans into the awkwardness rather than trying to be the irresistible heartthrob.

On the other hand, Rania Youssef as the overbearing future mother-in-law is fantastic. She balances the right amount of intensity, humor, and authority, making her scenes some of the most engaging.

Dounia Sami’s Naglaa, while frustrating, brings the necessary tension that keeps the plot moving—even if her character feels slightly exaggerated at times.

But the real MVP? Mohamed Mahmoud.

His presence adds a sense of warmth and authenticity to the show, and his comedic delivery is one of the few aspects that genuinely works. If anything, he’s the glue holding the chaotic story together.

Unfortunately, some of the supporting performances fall flat, particularly in dramatic moments where emotional depth is lacking. It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but it does make certain scenes feel underwhelming.

Is the Humor Actually Funny?

For a comedy, Nos El Shaab Esmo Mohamed doesn’t always hit the mark. Some jokes feel forced rather than naturally funny, especially in high-tension scenes where the humor doesn’t land well.

It’s also trying really hard to make one-liners in an attempt to go viral and become catchphrases, and they can start to be cringy with cringe reactions.

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However, the show does have its comedic highlights, particularly when Mohamed Mahmoud delivers his signature deadpan lines.

His interactions with Mohamed often steal the show, bringing the kind of effortless humor that the rest of the series sometimes struggles with.

The Toxic Masculinity Issue

Beyond the comedy, one of the most problematic aspects of the show is how casually it portrays toxic masculinity. There’s an entire scene where Mohamed and his uncle discuss how to “strategically” handle polygamy—by either lying about it or tricking their wives into accepting it.

While the script doesn’t fully endorse Mohamed’s mindset, the fact that these conversations are even happening in such a casual, comedic setting raises concerns about how seriously the show is taking these issues. To its credit, some characters push back against these outdated views, but it still feels like the series is toeing a fine line between criticism and normalization.

Well-Executed But Not Groundbreaking, Which We Don’t Mind

Visually, the show is well shot, with solid cinematography that keeps things clean and engaging. The set design and locations feel natural and immersive, creating a believable world that complements the show’s social themes.

Rather than relying on flashy or overly stylized shots, the direction prioritizes character interactions and comedic timing, ensuring the performances take center stage.

This is a signature approach of director Abdel Aziz El Nagar, who understands when to let the story breathe without unnecessary visual distractions—something many directors struggle with by overcomplicating scenes for the sake of creativity.

The soundtrack does its job well, subtly enhancing the mood without overwhelming the dialogue. The catchy opening theme sets the lighthearted tone of the show, though some scenes experience minor audio imbalances, with dialogue occasionally overpowering the background music.

Final Verdict: A Chaotic Yet Addictive Watch

By the third episode, we’ve seen Mohamed juggling multiple women, lying, planning secret marriages, and making absolutely terrible life decisions—all while somehow being an engineer (because apparently, logic is optional in both love and career choices).

Despite its many flaws, Nos El Shaab Esmo Mohamed remains strangely addictive. The messy relationships, fast-paced drama, and standout performances from Mohamed Mahmoud and Rania Youssef make it engaging, even when it’s frustrating. If you enjoy watching chaotic characters make bad decisions, this show delivers.

And as for the name controversy—if you still think there’s some hidden agenda behind calling the show “Nos El Shaab Esmo Mohamed,” please, for everyone’s sake, let it go.

At this point, people arguing about it have caused more drama than the actual series.