Tag: Turkish dramas

  • PTV to air another Turkish show on PM Khan’s recommendation

    After the phenomenal success of Diriliş: Ertuğrul, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is all set to air another Turkish drama Yunus Emre: Aşkın Yolculuğu on the recommendation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    A trailer for the Urdu version of the drama, titled Raah-e-Ishq, is already out.

    https://twitter.com/PTVHomeOfficial/status/1329156469267238914?s=20
    https://twitter.com/PTVHomeOfficial/status/1330042218321747968?s=20

    Senior PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that the drama is being aired on the directions of PM Imran. He also shared that the drama is the story of an Islamic poet, mystic and poor villager.

    The Senator had earlier said that PM Khan wants Pakistanis to watch this drama because it highlights Islamic history.

    Yunus Emre: Aşkın Yolculuğu is a Turkish biographical historical television series created by Mehmet Bozdağ, the man behind Diriliş: Ertuğrul. It stares Gökhan Atalay in the lead role. According to Faisal, the series is a journey of transformation. It centres around the life of Yunus Emre, the 14th century Anatolian Sufi poet, who greatly influenced Anatolian culture.

    The first episode of the series was released on June 18, 2015 and over the years it has become a favourite among the Turkish audiences. It has an IMDb rating of 7.9.

    In case you didn’t know, PM Khan is a big fan of Turkish dramas. Back in April, PM Khan, while discussing why he requested PTV to air Diriliş: Ertuğrul, had said: “The show has depicted the culture of Islam. I want our youth to know that we also have a culture which has romance and other interesting elements.”

    A release date for the show has not yet been announced by PTV.

  • Pakistani dramas are depressing, says First Lady Samina Alvi

    President Arif Alvi’s wife Samina Arif Alvi has said that Pakistani dramas depress her.

    In a recent interview with Independent Urdu, the First Lady said: “I don’t watch [Pakistani] dramas. I don’t know why but they make me feel depressed.”

    Mrs Alvi further said that she discussed this with a few people, including some female anchors and asked them why everything in Pakistani dramas revolve around affairs and weddings, upon which she was told that such subjects garner ratings.

    Disagreeing with this, the First Lady remarked: “Why don’t they make anything decent? People appreciate good and decent content.”

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    Mrs Alvi further said that whatever content will be shown on TV, people especially children will learn from it whether it’s good or bad.

    “Aap jis cheez per daalein gay, bachay ussi taraf jayen gay,” said the First Lady. “Dekhain aap jo bachon ki dikhain gay, woh wohi karein gay.”

    Mrs Alvi and her husband President Alvi have often praised Turkish drama Diriliş Ertuğrul in the past. When asked if she has seen the entire series, the First Lady said that she watched a few episodes during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Concluding her remarks, the First Lady said that it is high time the content of Pakistani Dramas is changed, adding that she liked Diriliş Ertuğrul because it did not have any vulgarity.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfTgHgJO-f/
  • ‘Ertuğrul’ actor Cavit Çetin Güner arrives in Pakistan

    ‘Ertuğrul’ actor Cavit Çetin Güner arrives in Pakistan

    Cavit Çetin Güner, who plays Dogan Alp in the superhit Turkish series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has arrived in Pakistan as per his latest Instagram stories.

    The actor first shared a picture of his boarding pass and later a short video of his hotel with the caption: “Gooood Morning.”

    While Güner himself did not share why he is visiting Pakistan, it appears that the actor is here to inaugurate a private housing society in Islamabad. And he seems to be having a great time already, judging from the pictures being circulated on social media.

    Earlier in August, Güner had promised his fans that he would visit Pakistan soon. In a note written in Urdu, the actor had said: “I apologise to Pakistanis. I met a man named Musawair Abbasi in Turkey, who was a lawyer and we talked and agreed on a business plan. However, later I found out that the business plan was fake and Musawir Abbasi lied.”

    “We have a mutual love for Pakistani people but due to current circumstances, I won’t be able to visit Pakistan. I believe that I will meet trustworthy people and will meet you soon,” he added.

    Güner is the same actor who was likened to Virat Kohli by Mohammad Amir.

    Meanwhile, the lead actor of the series Engin Altan Düzyatan is coming to Pakistan in October.

    According to a press release by London-based events management outfit Frontiers World, “Engin Altan Düzyatan has finally confirmed his much-awaited visit to Pakistan. He looks forward to meeting many of his fans in three ticketed-only events in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The Turkish star will hold an exclusive on-stage question and answer sessions during the events.”

    The three-day tour has been titled ‘Jashn-e-Ertuğrul’ and will take place from October 9-11.

  • ‘Just better yourself’: Anoushey Ashraf hits back at Yasir Hussain

    ‘Just better yourself’: Anoushey Ashraf hits back at Yasir Hussain

    ICYMI, Anoushey Ashraf and Yasir Hussain have been debating over Yasir’s comments on Turkish actors. While Anoushey initially said that their exchange was a very “fun public debate”, it appears that it ended on a bitter note after Yasir remarked that Anoushey should have sent him a message on Whatsapp instead of criticising him publicly.

    Later, while commenting under a social media post which discussed Yasir’s denial of calling Turkish actors ‘kachra‘ and his request to Anoushey to not connect every statement of his to Diriliş: Ertuğrul, Anoushey posted a long comment in which she hit out at her colleague and advised him to “Just better yourself and be the best ambassador you can be for Pakistan in your capacity.”

    “If anything, open a production house that only takes in new talent. That’d be amazing and loved by all,” she added.

    Concluding her comment, Anoushey said: “Respect before friendship Yasir. Respect for all.”

    While Yasir did not respond to Anoushey’s latest comments, he posted this image on his Instagram story Tuesday afternoon.

    Earlier, when it was reported that Yasir had likened Turkish actors to kachra, Anoushey had called out her colleague for his comments and reminded him “that no one is kachra for one.” However, Yasir denied making these comments about Turkish actors and hit back at Ashraf saying that Pakistanis have always preferred international brands over local ones.

    Anoushey had responded to Yasir’s comments by saying that “It’s dangerous to insinuate I’m not Pakistani enough because I chose to purchase an Indian saari.”

    “We all support local and always will,” said Anoushey.

    Anoushey’s comments were widely circulated on social media, which upset Yasir, who then expressed his disappointment with Anoushey for calling him out on social media instead of sending him a message on Whatsapp.

    “Don’t need this kind of fame buddy,” said Anoushey in response to Yasir’s comment. “Just stood up for what I thought was right.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that earlier Anoushey had defended Yasir when he had likened Turkish dramas to landay ke kapray. After Yasir had been strongly criticised and been at the receiving end of personal attacks, Anoushey had urged her followers to respect Yasir’s decision and not abuse him because that’s what Ertuğrul would have done.

    “Yasir shared an opinion,” wrote Anoushey. “Your Ertuğrul wouldn’t have lectured, hated and abused him. He would have seen it as ‘exploring two sides to a story’.”

  • Yasir Hussain denies calling Turkish actors ‘kachra’, is upset with Anoushey Ashraf for calling him out on social media

    Yasir Hussain denies calling Turkish actors ‘kachra’, is upset with Anoushey Ashraf for calling him out on social media

    Yasir Hussain and his comments on Turkish actors have found themselves in hot waters once again. The actor was reported to have likened Turkish actors to ‘kachra‘ (garbage). According to details, Yasir while sharing a picture of ‘Pakistani Turgut and Pakistani Ertuğrul’ had commented: “Inko koi nahi poochega (no one will give them any attention). Kyunke ghar ki murgi daal barabar or bahar ka kachra bhi maal barabar,” insinuating that Pakistanis do not appreciate local talent enough.

    Minutes after Hussain posted this story, people began to call out the actor and strongly criticised him for his remarks.

    However, Hussain denied making these comments, saying that the publications twisted his words.

    He said that every comment of his is not connected to the cast of Diriliş: Ertuğrul and that he respects them all before concluding “Ignore me”.

    The actor also joked that he will pass controversial comments every week to irk those who get offended by his comments and abuse him.

    Yasir Hussain vs Anoushey Ashraf

    Among those who called out Yasir for his comments was Anoushey Ashraf who “reminded Yasir that no one is kachra for one.” However, Yasir hit back at Ashraf saying that Pakistanis have always preferred international brands over local ones.

    Anoushey responded by saying that “It’s dangerous to insinuate I’m not Pakistani enough because I chose to purchase an Indian saari.”

    “We all support local and always will,” said Anoushey.

    Anoushey’s comments were widely circulated on social media, which upset Yasir, who then expressed his disappointment with Anoushey for calling him out on social media instead of sending him a message on Whatsapp.

    “Don’t need this kind of fame buddy,” said Anoushey in response to Yasir’s comment. “Just stood up for what I thought was right.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that earlier Anoushey had defended Yasir when he had likened Turkish dramas to landay ke kapray. After Yasir had been strongly criticised and been at the receiving end of personal attacks, Anoushey had urged her followers to respect Yasir’s decision and not abuse him because that’s what Ertuğrul would have done.

    “Yasir shared an opinion,” wrote Anoushey. “Your Ertuğrul wouldn’t have lectured, hated and abused him. He would have seen it as exploring’two sides to a story’.”

  • ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan virtually meets terminally ill Pakistani children

    ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan virtually meets terminally ill Pakistani children

    Diriliş: Ertuğrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan met three terminally ill Pakistani children via video link on Tuesday fulfilling their wish of wanting to meet him.

    According to Anadolu Agency, the actor took part in an event arranged by Make-A-Wish Foundation in Karachi. The foundation grants one wish of children who are suffering from fatal diseases.

    Fizza Khuda Baksh, 14, Sidra Khan, 15, and Sohail Umer,16, are big fans of the hit Turkish series and wanted to meet Düzyatan. The three attended the event dressed up as characters from the show.

    “I saw your drama on PTV which is lovely and telling us the Islamic history and how our heroes fought for Islam,” Umer told the actor.

    “I wished to speak and meet you and today my dream has been fulfilled,” said Khuda Baksh.

    Speaking to those in attendance Düzyatan said, “I am very happy to meet these children and soon will visit Pakistan to meet with my Pakistani brothers and sisters.” He also thanked the children and the rest of his Pakistani fans for the overwhelming love.

    “I am very happy for this love from Pakistan,” said Engin.

    The event was attended by the Turkish Consul General Tolga Ucak and prominent Pakistani actors including Humayun Saeed, Nadeem Baig and Zeba Bakhtiyar. Meanwhile, Ayesha Omar hosted the event.

    Humayun, while interacting with the Turkish actor said that he has watched all episodes of series and is a fan of his acting.

    “I have watched all episodes of Ertuğrul and the main reason was your acting,” Humayun told Engin. “The way you performed your character, the way you fight and all your action scenes were very very good. I watched all episodes just because of you.”

    Read more – Ertuğrul cast to visit Pakistan in Oct/Nov

    Humayun also expressed hope that he and Engin would meet soon.

    Engin, in response, thanked Humyaun for his love and for watching the drama series.

  • ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Cengiz Coşkun says he has been receiving marriage proposals from Pakistan

    ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Cengiz Coşkun says he has been receiving marriage proposals from Pakistan

    Turkish actor Cengiz Coşkun, who plays Turgut Alp, in the superhit Turkish historical series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, has revealed that he got to know of the show’s popularity in Pakistan after he started receiving marriage proposals from the country on Instagram.

    In a candid conversation with Waseem Badami and Shahid Afridi, Coşkun said that has been receiving several marriage proposals from Pakistan and joked “I cannot marry everyone”. However, during the course of the interview, Coşkun also revealed that he was unmarried, but committed.

    Coşkun also expressed his desire to visit the country and said that he wants to try the biryani here. When the Lahore vs Karachi biryani debate started, Coşkun said he will come and judge which one is better to which Afridi replied that he will host Coşkun whenever he comes to the country.

    In the interview, the actor also said that he wants to learn cricket from Afridi and that he would love to work in the Pakistan film industry if he finds an “interesting character” to play. He also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for recommending the series to Pakistan because the response he received from Pakistanis was phenomenal.

    To express his love for his Pakistani fans, Coşkun towards the end of the interview, also sang ‘Dil Dil Pakistan‘.

    Set in 13th century Anatolia and based on the struggle of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending in Pakistan ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country. According to details, more than 58 million people viewed the first episode on PTV’s YouTube channel in two months, and the entire show has had more than 250 million views. PTV’s YouTube channel has also registered an exponential rise in its viewership with more than 7 million subscribers and episodes trending every day on the social media platform.

    Coşkun plays Turgut Alp in the series, who was one of the early warriors of the Ottoman Empire. He was also a close friend of Ertuğrul Gazi and his son Osman Gazi.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

  • Hadiqa Kiani collaborates with Turkish singer to honour Kashmiri martyrs

    Hadiqa Kiani collaborates with Turkish singer to honour Kashmiri martyrs

    Hadiqa Kiani has collaborated with Turkish singer Ali Tolga for a song dedicated to Kashmiri martyrs and those during the failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.

    The song titled Daimi Bahar, which means ‘eternal spring’ opens with the line: “In everlasting memory of our beloved martyrs: July 13, 1931, Kashmir Martyr’s Day, July 15 2016, Failed Turkish Coup Attempt.”

    The song features lyrics in both Urdu and Turkish, with Hadiqa singing in both the languages.

    The music video features some stunning shots of Indian-occupied Kashmir in all its snow-covered glory, clips of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, the plight of the Kashmiris and the struggle against the failed coup in Turkey back in 2016.

    https://youtu.be/X6z1ET4O0GY

    Daimi Bahar hits all the rights notes and your heart goes out to all those suffering in the picturesque valley.

    Kiani has often raised her voice against Indian atrocities in Kashmir. Earlier, the singer had said that the Kashmir issue is no longer Pakistan vs India but is in fact an issue for humanity, for families, “for the greater good”.

  • VIDEO: Ertuğrul wishes his Pakistani fans Eid Mubarak

    VIDEO: Ertuğrul wishes his Pakistani fans Eid Mubarak

    Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan, who plays the role of Ertuğrul in the hit Turkish series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, has sent his Eid greetings in a special message to his Pakistani fans on Eid-ul-Fitr.

    Read more – ‘Ertuğrul’, Bollywood stars react to PIA crash

    In a video message, shared on PTV’s official Twitter handle, Engin thanks his Pakistani fans for all the love they have sent his way and for appreciating the show.

    “I cannot thank you enough for the unimaginable love and incredible response you are giving to Ertuğrul Ghazi Urdu,” said Düzyatan. “I also would like to thank PTV for bringing Ertuğrul Ghazi to your home.”

    He added: “Aap sab ko meri taraf se Eid Mubarak.”

    Watch video:

    Set in 13th century Anatolia and based on the struggle of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country. According to the latest figures by PTV, 133.38 million people have watched the drama series from April 25- May 14. PTV’s YouTube channel has also registered an exponential rise in its viewership with 4 million subscribers and episodes trending every day on the social media platform.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

  • ‘Ertuğrul’ star thanks Neelam Muneer for her ‘nice compliments’

    ‘Ertuğrul’ star thanks Neelam Muneer for her ‘nice compliments’

    While on one hand stars are debating over whether Turkish series Diriliş: Ertuğrul should be aired in Pakistan or not, on the other hand, we are witnessing a heartwarming exchange between actors of both the countries.

    In a recent Instagram post, Neelam Muneer discussed how watching the series is “like reading a book which is full of great history of Muslims”.

    “Even though I respect views of everyone in my fraternity but I feel it’s not the matter of Turkish content or Pakistani content,” wrote Neelam. “We should look beyond and understand that its Islamic content, which has so much wisdom and teaches us the history and the values of Muslims.”

    She added, “Let’s just feel proud of our Islamic heritage and get motivated and also create content in Pakistan which we should also be proud of.”

    Neelam’s post caught the attention of Gülsim Ali, who plays Aslıhan Hatun, younger sister of Ural Bey and Aliyar Bey, in the super hit series.

    “Thank you for the nice compliments,” replied Ali. “Love you and your heart is so beautiful, wish you all the best.”

    Read more – Halime Sultan sends her love to Pakistan

    The exchange did not end there. Neelam responded and hoped that Gülsim will be able to visit Pakistan one day, who said she would love to.

    Set in 13th century Anatolia and based on the struggle of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending in the country ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country. According to PTV, 133.38 million people have watched the drama series from April 25- May 14. PTV’s YouTube channel has also registered an exponential rise in its viewership with 3.5 million subscribers and episodes trending every day on the social media platform.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.