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ShareIn this candid interview, Ahmad, better known as Sayood, opens up about his unconventional journey from a strict family upbringing to becoming a pioneering Kuwaiti producer, comedian, and the creator of ‘Al Maht’.
From his rebellious teenage years to creating the first full-length Kuwaiti animated film, Sayood shares the challenges, inspirations, and personal insights that have shaped his unique voice in the industry. With a background in both science and English literature, he takes us through the evolution of his passion for dark comedy, sarcasm, and social commentary, revealing the experiences that have fueled his creativity.
Kuwait Times: Tell me more about your family. Growing up in a strict household, did that push you to be more rebellious in your work?
Sayood: The combination of a strict family and a passion to learn and achieve has benefited me in various ways. Growing up surrounded by intelligent sisters and a high-achieving mother pushed me to reach far beyond what I thought I was capable of at the time. At times, I pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable within society's norms just to prove that I was just as important as any other member of the family. You could say it was an insecurity, unintentionally created by my surroundings.
Kuwait Times: Who inspired you growing up, and who encouraged you to pursue your passion and creative journey?
Sayood: At the time, I had no idea where I was headed. My mother provided me with all the tools I needed—knowledge, curiosity, artistry, presentation skills, and other valuable traits—by encouraging me to participate in various school activities. Not just for the sake of participation, but to win first place and come home with a trophy. Even though she initially resisted my career in comedy, she’s now a big fan. And I’m a huge fan of her parenting methods.
Kuwait Times: Coming from a strict family, was learning the guitar a rebellious act for you? How did your family react to it?
Sayood: Getting a guitar into the house was a bigger deal than organ trafficking. I practiced in the toilet, on the rooftop, under the blanket while locking the door twice, just in case the first lock failed. When they found out, I was homeless for a week.
Kuwait Times: You’ve created the first full-length Kuwaiti animated film—how does that feel? Do you ever sit back and reflect on how far you’ve come from YouTube skits?
Sayood: It was very challenging. Studios typically hire hundreds of employees to produce animated movies. We were just four guys working with a very limited budget and a tight timeframe. But I’m pleased with the experience and proud of my team. I believe we can achieve even more than what I initially thought was impossible.
Kuwait Times: Al Maht has a unique blend of dark humor and animation—how do you decide which social issues to tackle with such a biting, sarcastic tone?
Sayood: Trends come and go, and many influencers don’t have lasting careers because they focus on what’s trending. I prefer topics that don’t expire. Human DNA doesn’t change in 10 years. There’s a pattern in behavior that everyone notices but rarely takes the time to analyze.
Kuwait Times: Al Maht has become a voice for many social issues in Kuwait. Do you ever worry that your sarcasm might be misunderstood, or do you embrace that ambiguity?
Sayood: It’s impossible for any type of comedy to please all audiences, especially dark humor, since it tackles society’s taboos and things we shouldn’t joke about. Even if you're 100% on point, sensitivity is inevitable for various reasons—whether it’s because of insecurity or a refusal to face reality. Human beings are extremely complicated, and I love to observe their emotions.
Kuwait Times: With such a unique voice in animation, how do you envision the future of animated dark comedy in the region? Do you see it evolving or staying within a certain niche?
Sayood: The animation industry in the region is still new, and dark comedy is a novelty as well. The combination of both is a perfect foundation for something fresh and innovative. I believe that if a craft is well-made, it will reach people’s hearts.
Kuwait Times: Dark comedy can be polarizing. Have you ever had a moment where you felt the audience didn’t catch the sarcasm or was overly offended? How do you decide where to draw the line between humor and criticism, especially on topics like economics and societal norms?
Sayood: Comedy and sarcasm, in general, demand intelligence and a sense of humor to understand. For the past five years, people have been conditioned by fear of offending any ideology just to keep all fan bases happy. It takes courage to boldly state your message, and some self-confidence from the viewer to laugh at a joke—even if they don’t agree. That being said, the acceptance rate and demand for Al Maht is uniquely high.
Kuwait Times: Do you handle the writing, directing, and voice acting for your sketches yourself?
Sayood: Writing is my primary role, but as I write, I imagine certain facial expressions and voice emotions. I combine them in a drawing and a voice take to achieve the exact delivery I need.
Kuwait Times: You’ve been involved in both stand-up comedy and animation—how has your philosophy of humor evolved between these two mediums? And what are your thoughts on the stand-up comedy scene in Kuwait?
Sayood: Watching old-school American stand-up comedians was one of my main inspirations. Of course, speaking to a live audience is very different from directing a message through animation in terms of speed, technicality, and complexity. The stand-up comedy scene in Kuwait is practically non-existent and weak at best. It’s not just because of the artists but also because audiences here are so used to comedy theatres and plays.
Kuwait Times: Your sarcastic style is one of a kind—do you ever find yourself using that same sarcasm in everyday conversations, or do you save it for your work?
Sayood: I face a real challenge with this because of my involvement in drawing cartoons. There's an extra layer of "non-reality" that blends with reality. I see people as characters with sound effects attached to every motion they make or every story they share, which makes me laugh involuntarily. Sometimes it happens when meeting general managers or CEOs, so I try to control myself and not laugh at what I imagine. I try to keep those visions for my work.
Kuwait Times: What’s next for Al Maht? Can fans expect even darker humor or new characters tackling even more controversial topics in future seasons or projects?
Sayood: As long as there is a high demand for Al Maht, I’ll stick to the same formula. Whenever I feel washed up, I’ll try playing music at coffee shops or observe raccoons in Japan.
