KARACHI: We reported earlier that A Pakistani Turkish collaboration, titled Turki Lala is in the works. Recently, actors Adnan Siddiqui and Humayun Saeed and producer Dr Kashif Ansari and Dr Junaid Ali Shah, who are at the helm of affairs from Pakistan, visited Turkey to further the initiative. Based on the discussion during their visit, the key focus of the new alliance between Pakistan-based Ansari Films and Turkish production house Tekden Films is to counter the narrative of Islamophobia and highlight the teachings of Islam and the goodness the religion propagates. As more collaborations take place between Pakistan and Turkey, it is sure to strengthen the relations between the two countries.
The delegation from Pakistan met senior ministers in the Turkish government to further brief them about the upcoming series Turki Lala which will soon hit the floors under the collective banner of Ansari Films and Tekden Films. “Plans are afoot to create content that breaks the myth surrounding Muslims which, unfortunately, has led to unnecessary hatred towards the community. We want people to know that Islam is all about purity of thought and deeds through our future productions. We had a detailed dialogue on the same with the communication director of Presidency Fahrettin Altun,” Adnan Siddiqui noted in a press statement.
Humayun Saeed, on the other hand, added, “Turki Lala is a formidable figure in Pak-Turkey relations which go back to centuries. The series will be a tribute to his heroics as well the great friendship between the two nations.”
During their three-day visit, the Pakistani delegation met several Turkish dignitaries including Governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Youth and Sports Minister M. Muharrem Kasapoglu among others.
The recently forged partnership is being seen as an impetus to strengthen the close diplomatic ties between the two countries, extending the relations to the entertainment industry as well. According to the Ansari-Tekden team, this will start a new chapter in the cross-border talent exchange including actors and writers and more programmes on popular names in the history. Dr Ansari, meanwhile, also invited the dignitaries to visit Pakistan.
Dr. Shah, on the other hand, added that it was of utmost importance for us to collaborate together to bring the Islamic world together as one front. He furthered that this will pave way for the future and create a legacy for the generations to come and be a wonderful way of demonstrating the strong ties between Pakistan and Turkey.