Engin Altan Düzyatan, the star of the hit Turkish historical drama “Diriliş: Ertuğrul,” has expressed his gratitude to Pakistani fans for their significant role in his global fame. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Pakistani audience for their unwavering enthusiasm and for making “Diriliş: Ertuğrul” a cultural phenomenon.
Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan, best known for his role as Ertugrul in Diriliş: Ertuğrul, has expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan for contributing to his global recognition. Speaking alongside actor Nurgul Yesilcay at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Duzyatan highlighted how audiences in Pakistan embraced the show, giving it an unmatched level of attention worldwide.
“People of Pakistan have so much love for this character. Viewers may be similar across the world but it’s a different ballgame in Pakistan,” Duzyatan explained. He emphasized that Diriliş: Ertuğrul gained immense popularity in Pakistan, more so than even Turkiye itself.
Duzyatan shared insights about his journey with the role, noting that while playing Ertugrul influenced his personal life, it didn’t fundamentally change him. “There was just one page about Ertugrul in history books. I influenced the role while working on the show,” he said.
The actor also expressed his ambition to explore more roles, revealing his interest in playing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the future. Discussing his shift toward producing, Duzyatan stated that producing offers him greater creative freedom. “Acting is not enough as you act on somebody else’s ideas,” he explained.
Duzyatan also reflected on the difference between television and film roles. While TV series are time-bound, movies allow a deeper exploration of characters, offering a greater impact on the artist.
Turkish Industry Is Flourishing
Additionally, Duzyatan and Yesilcay participated in a screening of the documentary Tales on the Banks of Bosphorus at the festival. The documentary traced the rise of Turkish dramas, noting their expansion from a modest $300,000 industry to a billion-dollar entertainment giant. It explored how shows like 1001 Nights gained popularity in the Middle East and beyond, reaching audiences in over 150 countries today.
Yesilcay shared her personal experiences as well, including her return to theatre after a break. She revealed facing challenges, including fainting on stage and now trains with acting coaches to prepare for roles.
The event celebrated Turkish drama’s global success and highlighted the role of storytelling in uniting cultures. “Movies bring people from different countries closer. In times of wars and conflicts, here we are talking of love and movies,” Duzyatan said.
