Leading Turkish Media Company Akli Films and Pakistan’s Ansari Films have signed a contract for a joint entertainment venture. Emre Konuk, the owner of the Akli Films, took to Twitter on Friday to share this thrilling news.
According to him, the joint project is a series based on the life of the most prominent Islamic hero, Salahuddin Ayyubi. The project was signed after two days of negotiation in Serbia. Emre Konuk, Adnan Siddiqui, Dr Kashif Ansari and Dr Syed Junaid Ali Shah were all part of the negotiations.
Superstar Humayun Saeed had shown keen interest in creating a project based on the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi sometimes back. He is one of the producers of this venture.
Emre Konuk is a well-known Turkish producer, director and screenwriter. He has produced and directed some internationally-famed series, as well as co-directed the popular series ‘Yonus Emre’ and ‘The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice’. Emre Konuk’s creative work in the period-history genre is particularly famed.
About the project
The series will comprise four historical seasons, depicting the remarkable life of Salahuddin Ayyubi, who was the son of an ordinary Kurdish soldier. He ultimately became Sultan of Egypt and conquered Jerusalem ruled by crusaders for 88 years.
He spent two decades of his life in an onerous struggle to save the sacred land of Jerusalem. His enemies even acknowledged his bravery, justice and honesty. His journey entails the shades of faith, struggle, bravery, consistency and hope which makes his story worth depicting.
Ahmet Faruk Bakacak, who is a Media Communications Director at Akli Films, will research and write the script of the series. Signatories of the contract maintained that the series will rightly project the real Islamic culture and history.
Cast and shooting
In the contract-signing ceremony, Emre Konuk stated that it will be a good economic and cultural initiative for Turkey and Pakistan. It is agreed that the actors from both countries will participate in the series.
Adnan Siddiqui added that according to the contractual provisions, 25% of the cast will be from Pakistan. He further added that the series will mainly be shot in Turkey.
Pak-Turk collaboration in past
Earlier this year, a Turkish delegate which consisted of Turkish directors and producers, met Prime Minister, Imran Khan. In an official statement by Prime Minister Office, it was circulated that Imran Khan has particularly urged the Pak-Turk Entertainment Industry to create Muslim-history inspired projects.
In furtherance of this objective, Ansari Films signed a joint series with Tekden Film by the title of ‘Turk Lala’ in January this year.
A big opportunity
Turkish series have humongous viewership worldwide. These shows often occupy the highest ranks in TRPs. By virtue of this popularity, Islamic history will be rightly promulgated which will subsequently help in lessening the prevailing Islamophobia in the world.
Furthermore, the joint entertainment ventures will provide ample opportunities to Pakistani actors, directors, producers and other related individuals to learn and showcase their talent on international platforms.
