‘Dirilis: Ertugrul’, dubbed in Urdu, has become the talk of the town after being aired in Pakistan on special directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Turkish drama serial, based on Islamic history, gained immense popularity in Pakistan, in fact, it beat all-time viewership records on Youtube in the country. In just 18 days, it crossed 100 Million views on Youtube to become the most-watched drama serial as far as the time period is concerned.
Meanwhile, social media flooded with mixed reactions by people who followed the drama closely. Following the trend, people from Pakistan’s entertainment industry also came out to drop their opinion related to airing ‘Diriliş: Ertugrul’ in Pakistan.
Read: ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’ breaks viewership records in Pakistan
Actors propelled their stance containing how airing foreign content in the country will hurt the local industry. Whereas, few of them completely disagree and considered ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’ an example of quality content.
Yasir Hussain thinks that “Landy kay kaprey aur Turkey kay dramay dono hi local industry tabah kar dengy. ( Both second hand clothes and Turkish dramas will both destroy the local industry)”.
He recommended Pakistan Television (PTV) to consider making a drama serial similar to ‘Ertugrual Ghazi’ to create opportunities for people in the local industry.
“PTV ko chaye hai kay woh eik tareekhi drama banaye aur apnay artists aur technicians ko use karey. Woh artist jo tax detey hein aur qabliat rakhtey hein. ( PTV should develop a historic TV show and use local artists and technicians. Those artists that give tax and have talent),” he wrote on Instagram.
Mansha Pasha supported his fellow actor for which she faced immense backlash on Twitter. She tried to convey her message in the best possible way and also clarified why she supported Hussain’s point of view.
“Those lambasting Yasir Hussain and calling the work in Pakistan “sub-par” seem to have forgotten what it takes to make content here. Even without any subsidy from the govt, even if u manage to gather ur own funds, ur projects can still bet banned or pulled off after clearance,” she wrote.
Shan Shahid and Reema Khan also didn’t like PTV promoting foreign content and not creating opportunities for local artists.
“Try to find our own history and it’s hero’s,” Shan wrote on Twitter.
Try to find our own history and it’s hero’s ..
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) April 28, 2020
Also Read: Shan Shahid criticizes PTV for telecasting ‘Ertugrul’
On the other hand, Osman Khalid Butt has an entirely different opinion related to an unexpected controversy. He thinks that ‘Diriliş: Ertugrul’ has generated job opportunities for people in the industry such as voice-over artists.
Plus, isn’t this creating more job opportunities for local dubbing/VO artists?
Also: praising a show like Ertugrul that promotes the importance of religion, culture & customs with nuance doesn’t automatically mean one doesn’t support the local industry. – contd.— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) May 18, 2020
Maya Ali backed Butt’s opinion and said: “We should learn to appreciate good work.”
In a series of Instagram stories, Ahmed Ali Butt also expressed his point of view relating to this matter. He put weight on the content of ‘Diriliş: Ertugrul’, however, advised people to respect each other’s opinion.
Mehwish Hayat asked people to end this debate ‘whether airing ‘Diriliş: Ertugrul’ was right or wrong’ and accept it as an educational drama series which has historical significance & great moral lessons.
I don’t know what the fuss is all abt? At the end of the day lets accept Dirilis #Ertugrul for wht it is; an educational drama series which has historical significance & gr8 moral lessons.I think Engin Altan Düzyatan is pretty hot. A bit like Leonardo Di Caprio no?#crushupdated♥
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) May 18, 2020
Unlike people on Twitter, actors dropped their opinions related to ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’ gently and also respected the narrative of fellow actors.
