The first time Mohammed Saeed Harib, the Emirati animation director, realised the scale of his success was in 2006, shortly after his animated series Freej had aired on TV.
"I remember being in a mall in Dubai. People started chasing me, asking for my autograph," laughs the 36-year-old. "It was completely crazy."
Despite being among the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country, Mr Harib who is the chairman of Lammtara Art Production and recently gave a talk as part of the "Art Conversations" programme at the Dubai Ladies Club, has never studied business.
He says he only attended the Northeastern University of Boston because his friends were going and it sounded like fun. Studying architecture at first, he failed his first year and was kicked off the course. He switched to general arts instead and took a course in animation.
"I was asked to invent a superhero character which represented the culture of my country," says Mr Harib. "At first I produced the kind of character that you see in comic books - macho and tough. But my teacher laughed at me. He said: 'Does this really represent your modern day culture? I want you to think outside the box'."
This was how the idea for Freej - the much-loved animated series, featuring caricatures of Emirati grandmothers and capturing the nuances of modern UAE life - was born.
That was 1998, however, and it was years before the cartoon series appeared on Dubai TV with Mr Harib revealing he encountered many obstacles bringing the project to life.
"Not only did I have to find backing to fund it, I had to persuade people here that it was something that could work."
It worked so well, however, that within weeks of it being aired, the entire nation was talking about it. In 2007, plans were drawn up to build a Freej theme park in Dubai. However the Dh1.2 billion project by Tatweer was put on hold indefinitely during the recession.
"It may or may not happen in the future," says Mr Harib, shifting his shoulders. "Tatweer is no longer operating and its projects are being moved to another Dubai Holding company. But it's OK either way. I'm happy with my success."
So what is his secret? "Persistence," he says matter-of-factly. "I'm a very persistent person by nature. If you believe in something, it will eventually work out. But you have to really believe.
"Animation was considered taboo in my culture when I first studied it. However my father was an open-minded person and he used to say: 'Study what makes you happy'.
"I'm grateful for the support of my family and the people who encouraged me along the way. I met a number of key people over the years who saw something in what I was doing. That gave me hope."
It also gave him the investment he needed to fund such a massive project. Seven years on from Freej's debut and the fifth season of is due to be aired in a month's time.
Mr Harib also has a feature-length film in the making, with the director of The Lion King Roger Allers and produced by the Hollywood actress Salma Hayek.
Both projects, he says, are takes on modern-day Emirati society. "They come from the perspective of a simplistic mindset, digesting the sophistication of a city, invaded with very new ideas.
"They question how we as a people are responding to modern changes. Are we for example letting go of our morals, our individuality, our identity?" he says.
Last year, Mr Harib worked as a creative consultant on a project called Cruel Summer which featured Kanye West and was launched in the Cannes Film Festival.
He is also working on his first feature film with Image Nation in Abu Dhabi, which he describes as "an untitled sports commentary based around football".
His success is not limited to animated movies. Describing himself as a "brand", he points out that he also directs events, designs logos and he is an expert on photography.
His advice to other young entrepreneurs and artists?
"Don't work for the sake of working and face major setbacks head- on. Never give up."
business@thenational.ae
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sweet%20Tooth
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize