Pakistan and Turkey are going to produce a new series on the life of Turkey Lala and Adnan Siddiqui will serve as its executive producer. The series will be produced in collaboration with the makers of Diriliş: Ertuğrul.
The public’s expectations are high because Turkey Lala would be a grand project. On the other hand, this also calls for a change in the Pakistani entertainment industry. In a recent podcast with BBC Asian Network, the actor explained how it would open doors for Pakistani actors.
Adnan Siddiqui reveals how ‘Turkey Lala’ came into being
The veteran actor shared how he became a source of its initiation. It was actually because of his friend, Dr Kashif Ansari who invited him to Turkey and visit the sets of Ertuğrul and his tomb. One thing led to another and the next thing he knew, he was having dinner with the makers of the renowned Turkish series.
“It hit me then, and I went to Dr Kashif and said, ‘Hey doctor, why aren’t you talking any business with them’?”
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The period drama is not just popular in Pakistan but has fans all over the world. Adnan Siddiqui also shared how one fine day, Boney Kapoor called him and exclaimed how much he loved Ertuğrul.
When host, Haroon Rashid asked him about his ‘vision’ behind this collaboration, the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor revealed,
“I thought if we are scratching their backs and if their content is coming to Pakistan, why can’t our content go there? Our actors should also be recognised on the streets of Taksim Square or anywhere. That’s not the case because we don’t promote our own countrymen. My only concern was initiating an exchange program.”
After the Tekdin and Ansari films agreed to collaborate, he got Humayun Saeed on board to get the ball rolling.
The production will open doors for Pakistan internationally
Humayun and Adnan will now provide them a list of Pakistani actors who could essay the designated roles in Turkey Lala. It would require around 50 to 60 Pakistani actors. Moreover, 20% of the series would be shot in Pakistan and the rest in Turkey.
“They’ll be deciding on what the actors will do. I don’t want to promote any nepotism. I don’t want to promote any favoritism., I just want to be a nice, liberal and neutral executive producer,” he said.
The series would be dubbed in Urdu, Turkish and English and it would do ‘wonders’ for Pakistani artists. According to Adnan Siddiqui, Turkey Lala would open doors for them internationally. The story is of relevance to everyone who was once part of the subcontinent, so it would naturally increase its viewership too.
“Production wise, Turkey has surpassed India. So the only way we can penetrate the international market now is through Turkey…And after this, we are also planning to make a series on the Mughals. So Turkey Lala is just the beginning,” stated the actor.
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