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Turkish dramas could destroy the local industry, says Yasir Hussain

The actor has some thoughts on PTV airing Turkish content like Dirilis Ertugrul.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020

Ever since PTV started airing Dirilis Ertugrul in Urdu dub, it has been the subject of many debates.

While Turkish dramas have been rather popular here for years, one can't deny the enormous impact this specific show. From conversations around Esra Bilgic, to importance of the drama or the apparently huge effect of Turkish content in Pakistan, something or the other continues to bring the spotlight on the drama.

Yasir Hussain has some thoughts to share as well, and from the looks of it, he is not happy.

Taking to Instagram, he shared, "PTV should make decent dramas and use our own actors and technicians. Those actors which are capable and pay their taxes. Both [Imported] clothes and Turkish dramas can destroy the local industry."

He added, "When your brother, sister and father will be out of work and Turkish people will be given those jobs, maybe then you'll understand what I'm seeing. PTV is national TV. Keep that in mind."

Well, that's some strong opinions right there. And people have taken to Twitter to respond.

Yasir Hussain's thoughts seem to echo the sentiments of Shaan Shahid who's also made his viewpoint quite clear.

Previously, Shaan also expressed his views to Images about PTV endorsing Dirilis Ertugrul, saying, "I have never said anything against foreign content being aired on a privately aired channel... But when a state-owned channel for which I pay taxes extends its support to foreign content – and furthermore, my government especially endorses it – I begin to lose hope."

Comments

mirza May 17, 2020 02:12pm

If you think Turkish dramas could destroy the local drama industry then start producing more quality rather then love and marriage trashy issues only.

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Chrís Dăn May 17, 2020 02:21pm

Yes. Why our own writers do not write something palatable? I recall plays of Fatima Bajia. Then plays by Rahat Kazmi group and Pirzada groups. Where are they?

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Shah May 17, 2020 02:27pm

I am watching Ertügul drama and ask my self: why have Pakistanis drama makers not made dramas on Muslim heroes yet? There is obviously a big market not being addressed.

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Vishal lucknow May 17, 2020 02:29pm

Conservative thinking!! Turkish movie just bringing competition. Isn't it

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Phoolay Zahra May 17, 2020 02:32pm

Yasir Hussain is completely lost...He is busy in judging others.According to the present situation,this is the best motivational drama as it is gathering the scattered courage of people...Yasir Hussain,I think has no project to do in present days...that's why he is indirectly saying to cast him for the character of Ertughrul...which is extremely hilarious

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Ksyed May 17, 2020 02:37pm

Just produce better dramas if you are really worried about nationalism. Now a days a family can not sit around to watch dramas or any show on pakistani channals. You know why? They are full of crapy subjects and lusts. There is no culture in dialogues and even in stories. Of course there are some exceptions.

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pashto May 17, 2020 02:52pm

competent people are fearless, , no can replace you if you good enough.

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Hamed Quraishi May 17, 2020 03:21pm

Mr. Hussain stop thinking. McDonald hasn't destroyed our "chapli kebab"!

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Farrah1843@gmail.com May 17, 2020 03:43pm

Since u Pakistani writers and actors are busy trying to emulate Bollywood and in the process completely abandoned the local TV and any association with it. No need to complain now. Turkish dramas are original. Hum TV ary dramas are a pathetic attempt to emulate Bollywood and give these act less actors a platform for Bollywood b grade movies or blink n miss roles. Sorry but it's fact.

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Chrís Dăn May 17, 2020 03:49pm

@Vishal lucknow this is not a better serial in script and direction what Rahat Kazmi,Suryia Fatima,Ashfaq Ahmed and Bano Qudsia had written for us.

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Ali May 17, 2020 03:53pm

Problem is not with the Turkish dramas, problem is with low quality outdated Content being produced in Pakistan and people can’t help but watch international content. Moreover whole pakistan has been watching Bollywood since forever no one seemed to cry about that? Produce better quality in your country people will follow. World is a global village you cannot stop people making their choices

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naysayer May 17, 2020 04:30pm

Someone tell this guy to step up his game!

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Muzzamil May 17, 2020 04:33pm

Yasir Hussain....who this guy is???

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Muzzamil May 17, 2020 04:34pm

Yasir Hussain......who this guy is?

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Logicalhuman May 17, 2020 04:40pm

Pakistan can use some Turkish or Indian expertise to make excellent serials.

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kp May 17, 2020 04:54pm

Identity crisis, if may i dare to say

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Rumi May 17, 2020 04:54pm

I don't understand why only PTV is televising this drama and others channels are not. Government should make a law for every channel to televise this drama and only this drama on their channels. We don't want any other drama on our TV's beside Ertügul drama. Also it should be mandatory for every citizen for every Pakistan to watch this drama. Police should take a random test by asking questions about this drama to the people of Pakistan to test if they have watched this drama or not. Those who haven't watched should be punished.

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Bjsunny May 17, 2020 04:57pm

There is no threat... Local industry need to inovate and come up with good dramas and ppl will watch em and prefer em.. These actors being challenged by one turkish drama is absurd...we as viewers have already access to global seasons and dramas through netflix and other tv platforms and it doesnt nothinf changes if one of the millions get dubbes and aired on ptv..

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altaf shaikh May 17, 2020 04:59pm

Good because the local industry now sucks. We don't want to watch and are not interested in shitty dramas like "Mere Pas Tum Ho"

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JawAd May 17, 2020 05:40pm

Quality production can come to Pakistan only if there is commercial value . In short just like cricket talent alone can not win games . For a start if there can be pakistani talent in these foreign production it may be better than us admiring something foreign.

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N abidai May 17, 2020 05:41pm

Turkish will not be taking Pakistani jobs, or that would be confirmation of PM IK vision that Pakistan will develop into a very succussful country that people from other country will come to Pakistan for jobs ! Yasir you had a positive dream, you 're intruption is wrong !

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Andrew May 17, 2020 05:48pm

Competition is what will force to keep the local industry on it's toes and increase the quality of output. Local script writers are pretty boring. People want drama's like Dirilis Ertugrul. They want content with deep religious, spiritual and historical value. The issue is that the local industry in general as individuals have diluted themselves to the extent that they can't relate to that which really matters.

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Zeeshan May 17, 2020 05:50pm

Viewers in PAK also enjoy Hollywood Films and TV serials (NETFLIX). Wonder he didnt mention those. Plus the local Industry should learn that there is more to Gharelo Abusive dramas.

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Farrukh Karamat May 17, 2020 05:54pm

(1) Instead of complaining try raising standard for Pakistani Dramas. (2) PTV for decades is far behind than some private production houses in terms of quality . (3) Something like Ertugrul is too big a project . (4) All resources from PTV, ISPR and some Private Production Houses should be used . And lastly (5) Try using local heros from our own history of Sub Continent. And

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Ark May 17, 2020 06:03pm

In media industry ,there exist a common perceptions that art has no boundaries. But at Sametime, these people are complaining. Either work harder or remain silent.

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Abood May 17, 2020 06:10pm

Of our indsutry made some good dramas why would we watch errugrul at the first place.our level lately has gone down whith no stoey line and useless acting

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Aijaz Malik May 17, 2020 06:23pm

I moved to America in 1991 as a young student in my late twenties. in the last 29 years nothing has changed. Still the two most popular subject of Pakistani TV dramas are divorce and 2nd/3rd marriages.

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Hamza Maqbool May 17, 2020 06:37pm

Why has the industry become so insecure.Users will watch whatever content is appealing to them.If our local artists can bring any good dramas then that will be appreciated too.

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Masood, TX. May 17, 2020 06:40pm

This is the biggest self-immolation by an out of work actor. Grow a backbone and bear the burden. I guarantee you that if a producer arrives at your door with a 3 crore check and ask you to put a lunda-bazaar shirt and dance in the street, you won't hesitate for a minute.

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Aziz May 17, 2020 06:49pm

Not at all, competition is healthy and must be encouraged between brotherly countries. The Govt. must support and promote both the countries in such cultural exchange... The standard of Pakistani drama have declined in recent decades with exception of few and industry should be open and work on improving our standards consistent with our cultural norms and good values.

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Vasudevan May 17, 2020 06:50pm

Earlier it was Indian content. Now Turkish. Pakistan has enormous talent, both in directors and actors. For a brief while, they were popular in India.

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ifif23211if@gmail.com May 17, 2020 07:00pm

Make better product and consumer will buy it.

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AR Malik May 17, 2020 07:12pm

Yasir bhai k Drame

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M May 17, 2020 07:24pm

From across the border, I use to love Pakistani dramas, Bakara Kishto ke...(I am not sure if I got it right) But it's was eighties,I still remember. I did watch this Ertugal on Netflix. It's good, why so much fuss about it? It's just entertainment. After year or so nobody will even remember....

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mirza May 17, 2020 07:34pm

Pakistani dramas has to be appealing to Pakistani if not then let them die.this competion.

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Khurram May 17, 2020 07:39pm

Try to up your game.. What different you are from a thief who take advantage of helplessness and weakness of others... Why do you want to thrive at cost of millions of viewers who deserve better?.

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Khurram May 17, 2020 07:42pm

It is not about the writers only, the attention to details, quality of production, producers , directors and artists putting every thing to lake a master piece.. unlike MPTU where the drama heavily depended upon the dialogue of the writer with average and above average acting skills..

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Movie Aficionado May 17, 2020 07:58pm

I'm watching The Gift now, absolutely well made and phenomenal Turkish TV series. Binged watched the first season. Beautiful actors.

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kamal chowkidar May 17, 2020 08:04pm

Competition from both Turkey and Bollywood now. Pakistani films are doomed now.

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LgbtqX May 17, 2020 08:42pm

Talent wins.

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Bitter Truth May 17, 2020 08:54pm

People just can't watch rubbish in the name of patriotism. All of Pakistan used to watch PTV dramas back in its golden days. But with the kind of nonsensical stuff on PTV now, no one cares.

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Farzan May 17, 2020 09:11pm

Raise your standards then.

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Zulfiqar May 17, 2020 09:31pm

@Shah Historical dramas and movies require lots of money, PTV had many historical dramas in the past..

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Nono May 17, 2020 09:49pm

Excuse me Mr. ACTOR, I had the displeasure of watching a couple of episodes of your and Iqra's drama serial Jhooti. It is pathetic by all means from the story to acting to the overall lunacy. If you cant produce quality content, dont expect people to watch it.

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Haroon Temueri May 17, 2020 10:22pm

If so then let it be stop producing BS drama’s and start making movies and dramas that public wants and it will not hurt the industry

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Shairu May 17, 2020 10:29pm

Don’t be afraid of competition, it bring the best in you.

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Tahir A May 17, 2020 10:49pm

Talk about insecurity. In this new Information age, no industry can afford to be protectionist and the entertainment industry is not an exception.

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k k tiwari May 17, 2020 10:57pm

Turkey dramas are not suitable to culture of sub continent , i prefer Pakistani Urdu dramas

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Helping Hands May 17, 2020 11:00pm

Yes, stop airing Ertugrul and continue to watch pathetic dramas that depict stories from the stone age, that has bucketloads of tears on every female character and an excessive sense of honor (only reserved for women) in the pockets of the male characters. Bhai wah!

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Mohsin May 17, 2020 11:11pm

Surprised to see Yasir being illogical. Shows how much confidence you have on your fraternity. This is similar to saying buy all Pakistani no matter what quality and price. Do you wear all Pakistani, fly only in PIA ...? Raise your game and you’ll find a place (even internationally). ‘Dhoop kinaaray’ was shown on saudi national tv.

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F May 17, 2020 11:21pm

These are people who want to be champion without competition. PTV dramas were mostly in decline in last 20 years and so Turkish drama does not take away any of Pakistani market

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Lynne May 17, 2020 11:27pm

I love the the Turkish series I watch them on Netflix

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Lynne May 17, 2020 11:28pm

I love Turkish series watch them on Netflix

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parveez shafi May 17, 2020 11:37pm

Competition will improve overall quality of our tv drams. At the moment you have drams and news channels. Not much to say.

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popnigsk May 18, 2020 12:11am

Did Turkish national television produce the serial Ertugrul ?

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jaredlee007 May 18, 2020 12:13am

We must give credit to Turkish dramas just like other countries used to give credit to Pakistani dramas. This is positive competition. So, artists should not feel insecure.

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Shujaul Bari May 18, 2020 12:57am

It is bunch of nonsense. Competition is good. Create some good contents with what you have and people will watch. What you have been creating so far is sub standard in content and acting as well.

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Mani May 18, 2020 01:35am

He’s concerned cause now Pakistani masses will understand quality and won’t put up with his shenanigans.

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Seedoo May 18, 2020 01:49am

Being afraid of competition is itself an admission of the fact that your own domestic product is of poor quality and not up to international standards.

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Mesu May 18, 2020 02:05am

Continue making dramas like MPTH and soon we will be happy to watch star plus instead of our own channels.

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Taimoor Ahmed May 18, 2020 02:23am

Turkish dramas are only bringing competition. If you are so worried, then step up your game and make something that is different than your typical saazishi, gharelo maslon wala drama. Don't you realize there is a huge market in Pakistan for such shows? So instead of crying like a little baby losing his soother, make something of this caliber

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Reader May 18, 2020 02:45am

Here Indians like to see Pakistani TV shows.

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Plastikman May 18, 2020 02:47am

First ban bollywood in pakistan than talk about turkish drama stupid mentality

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Plastikman May 18, 2020 02:48am

Who is Yasir by the way?

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Nabeel May 18, 2020 04:08am

When Pakistani artists work in foreign production: "Art has no boundaries". When foreign content broadcasted here: "We should be given priority". Period.

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Sid May 18, 2020 04:29am

It’s just one drama yet, come on grow up! Also competition is healthy and will ensure local talent is upping its game too!...

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Just Saying May 18, 2020 05:28am

For me these people fall in the same list of Emir Sadettin Kopek, Bahadir Bey, Gumustekin Bey, Kocabash and so on. This show is being watched in 75 countries around the world with following from both Muslims and Non- Muslims. So please stop all this and if you are worried about the state TV work hard to revive its content and come up with more meaningful content than 'Us ke shaadi iss se kara dein, us ko dekha thaa wahan us ke saath' and all of the useless family politics based dramas.

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IMRAN QURAISHI May 18, 2020 05:40am

Than raise your bar man. First of all this man is no where close to being an actor or anything close to that and secondly learn to face competition in this demanding field. By the way who asked for your advise anyway.

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Alrehan May 18, 2020 06:46am

Agree with Yasir Hussain but PTV popularity has been increased by drama Ertugurl . Showing quality works can open people eyes about what is mediocre and great.

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ASK May 18, 2020 07:33am

Produce something meaningful and inspiring, then talk.

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Akil Akhtar May 18, 2020 08:27am

Even though most of our dramas are formula but I am not interested in Turkish dramas....maybe dubbing destroys the effect as well....

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Salim Badruddin May 18, 2020 08:39am

Competition is healthy, Pakistani dramas are equally good and popular. Turkish dramas to be screened and Pakistan should also have more better plays in future.

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Abdul Rahman May 18, 2020 09:00am

Where was he when ptv was airing Hollywood movies in Urdu?

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Irfan ul Huq May 18, 2020 09:06am

I agree with yasir to an extent and more with Shaan. I am against any outside production to be endorsed and shown on government TV such as PTV. however I am all for dramas from any country to be shown on any private channel. This will increase the competition and will widen the horizon of the viewer ,otherwise we will continue to see the same poorly written plays poor languages poor acting and the same divorces marriages mother in law daughter-in-law , long 24 Or 25 episodes of each drama they need to make it crisp and so that people could enjoy .I shall also request that the government who is so concerned with entertainment should declare the entertainment as an industry so that producers can go and get a loan at a lower intrest rate and produce quality plays and not depend on these advertisers money who force them to produce poor quality plays.

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Zahid May 18, 2020 09:15am

Grow up; Shan Shahid and Yasir, Lets feel good about it and Show healthy competition. We have lots of Islamic Stories to tell by forum of media for our people. OUR DRAMMA MEDIA GIANTS, HUM..GEO..ARY..ETC. Lets produce quality HISTORICAL DRAMMA. ENCOURAGE IT... Peoples of Pakistan are smart, Will be big hits. AS FOR " Dirilis Ertugrul" GREAT PRODUCTION***** THNKS; PTV

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Jamshed Hashwani May 18, 2020 09:26am

Or the local film/drama industry to increase their competence to compete effectively. You either learn to excel or learn to accept failure and move on with some other careers.

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Masthan Basha May 18, 2020 09:34am

Just like China delivers cheap items destroying local industries, if dubbed versions of movies, dramas allowed, they will destroy local talent and nobody invests in entertainment industry. There should be some sort of regulations to protect local industry and talent.

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Indus Valley May 18, 2020 09:35am

@Shah Yes we can make movies on Akbar the greatest, Sher Shah Suri , Begun Hazrat Mahal and other great muslim personalities of the Indian Sub Continent.

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Haramullah May 18, 2020 09:41am

Any show which runs on TV is a reflection of the Psyche of that society. More the popular more it is close to their thinking. In this context see these dramas and think you want your society like this. Any way choice is of Pakistan's. This Turkish drama doesn't promote islamic history, it is messaging about Turkish nationalism.

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Ps May 18, 2020 10:44am

Is it strange or is it natural that people are looking to Arabic dramas instead of Pride in the history of the land. The land has over 5000 years of civilization.

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Sharif May 18, 2020 11:10am

Totally agree with Yaseer Hussain

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Ahmad May 18, 2020 11:30am

Oh no, people's taste will change for the better! How will we ever compete?!?

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Laila May 18, 2020 01:04pm

Pakistani soap opera dramas fed to us for the last 20 years have already ruined our industry. Our dramas were once known for their solid social issue content where actors were actors and not models turn actors. Turkish dramas are popular across the Middleeast l. Pakistani dramas mainly watched by desis. Saas bahu, abused woman, evil childlike man stories are not relatable to others. Naturally in a global world, Turkish dramas were bound to get footing in Pakistan. Improve your content and see Turkish competition as a wake up call.

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Anam May 18, 2020 01:30pm

Let foreign content wreak 'havoc' in the local industry--it might actually inspire, or even force, the local film and TV industry to produce good quality content which is actually relevant and interesting to watch. Are they too scared to compete?

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Azhar 88 May 18, 2020 02:04pm

@Shah Because Pakistani TV industry is more than happy with making low cost production walay rotay dhotay ishq muhabbat saas bahu tv shows. History based dramas are expensive to make and execute and the Pakistani industry neither has the skills nor the appetite to take on such risky projects.

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Anonymous May 18, 2020 02:50pm

Yasir sb either you all actors starting acting like that and stop taking us to hip hop glamorous dreams in the name of culture(which is not what you display). And stop making sas bahoo issue and make something which not give you nightmare Appni nakameon dosro paper mat dalyan please Regards.

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hussain May 18, 2020 03:11pm

honestly has Ertugrul rattled so many in the Pakistani acting fraternity, are they so insecure. Ptv is one channel among a number of tv channels. it seems that most tv channels have not caught onto the fact that a majority of Pakistanis would like to watch dramas about their historical heroes, rather than the usual liberal claptrap on copying everything western.

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hussain May 18, 2020 03:15pm

@Logicalhuman the writing and acting in Pakistani dramas is of excellent quality, far better than many nation's, the issue is that Pakistani dramas show a lifestyle or a thinking that does not marry with the thinking and culture of 99% of the population, That is one reason why Ertugrul is so popular.

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Jiok May 18, 2020 03:17pm

Our drama "industry" will only get saved unless we get new ideas and experienced directors, I'm gonna say it ......yes our current dramas aren't good at all, most of Pakistani dramas are based on the infamous saas bahu nonsense and family issues even our comedy dramas have become unfunny and inappropriate and I'm not the only one noticing this alot of people complain about it.

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Osaid Abdullah May 18, 2020 04:08pm

If Turkish dramas really destroy the local industry, then I'm all support for them.

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Ertugrul May 18, 2020 04:34pm

What jobs will Turkish steal from Pakistanis? What jobs are there in Pak in first place?

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elsa May 18, 2020 06:07pm

Wellie, first our local industry is lacking in many aspects. Also, it doesn't makes any quality content n it wd b too good to invest in a big project like "Ertugrul" so they are offended when PM diverts the nation to an islamic content rather than so called *roti hui aurat* drama serials

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haris May 18, 2020 07:08pm

Why do you feel so unsafe? 99% of dramas showing women as the most weakened specie in our society. Bring on something new. After Qasim Jalali none in our drama industry ever created a drama based on historic events.

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Jose Melendez May 18, 2020 07:17pm

I am not Turkish but I love the series and history. Great show, keep up the good work.

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N_Saq May 18, 2020 08:26pm

Instead of complaining one needs to raise his/her own standard. As long it is healthy and legal competition, it is good. Competition is always good because it forces you to improve and bring the best out of you.

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Rangarajan Raghavachari May 18, 2020 09:55pm

Pl show Ramayan and Mahabharath .It will be great Learning of a lifetime to Pakistanis to see multicultural, top quality emotional display of colour and grandeur. Also this will cut across all generations from young to old.

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TruthMatters May 18, 2020 10:14pm

Wow, some of the actors’ insecurities are on full display. Time for local actors and writers to produce better dramas sourcing historical and current Muslim heroes and heroines instead of imitating cheap, re-hashed Bollywood storylines.

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Uzair May 18, 2020 10:52pm

Amazing how they have no issues watching netflix but will protest against giving everyone quality content. Raising the bar and focussing on producing quality ORIGINAL content will go a long way than shooting your mouth to cover up your incompetence.

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AB May 19, 2020 12:10am

What we are actually giving to our nation through TV dramas is a big thing to worry about!!!! Do we need someone to realize us what we are doing... I mean where were our drama artists, producers , directors before the drama Ertugural on-aired. Let's just appreciate the work of whole team of Ertugural and stop criticizing just because we didn't come up with the good real thing like this.

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AJ May 19, 2020 02:47am

This is the basic 'infant industry argument' that pleads not to allow global competitors penetrate the local market because it will destroy the uncompetitive local industry.

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Umme Farwa Raza May 19, 2020 03:21am

Turkish drama islamic history bata rha hai to usme koi masla nhi future ki fikar hogai #yasirhussain ko sorry to say but he is saying things which doesn't make any sense Na sar hai na per

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Anon May 19, 2020 07:37am

@Farrah1843@gmail.com 100% true.

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Shairu May 19, 2020 05:57pm

Competition is healthy and good for progress

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Sid May 20, 2020 09:05am

Pakistan produced many such drama back in the days - Akhri Chatan Tabeer Shaheen to name a few

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Mahjbeen Khan May 21, 2020 01:55pm

I agree with Yasir Hussain-