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Some Pakistani men have a serious issue with Esra Bilgic in a bra — not that it's any of their business

Some Pakistani men have a serious issue with Esra Bilgic in a bra — not that it's any of their business

All it took was the Ertugrul star posting a picture on Instagram to tick off several men in her comment section.
22 Mar, 2022

There are a lot of things Pakistani men seem to dislike online but on the top of the list is a woman wearing (and advertising) what she wants. The recent cause of their outrage — Turkish actor Esra Bilgic posting a shoot she did for lingerie brand Victoria's Secret. Men have taken to the comment section of Bilgic's Instagram post to voice their (unwanted and unwarranted) opinions.

Bras and Pakistani men have a fractious relationship. They were obsessed with the colour of actor Mehwish Hayat's bra and now they're trying to police Bilgic advertising and wearing lingerie with a blazer. The Pakistani men in her comment section seem to believe she really is Halime Hatun, the character she played in Diriliş: Ertuğrul. They can't get over Halime Hatun and seem to have a big problem separating fantasy from reality.

Pakistani commenters reminded her of the "roots" they believe she has as Hatun. "Toba Astaghfar. Nak katva di Ertugrul bhai ki [Dear lord! You have shamed Ertugrul bhai]," wrote a user under her Instagram post.

One even demanded that the actor delete her post while others said she had the responsibility to carry the "izzat [honour]" of the tribe that Hatun belonged to. Her post also broke "many heart's" but for one follower it was an opportunity to offer "Pakistan's money" in order for Bilgic to stop shoots like this.

Their unwarranted comments resulted in "embarrassment" for other fans who didn't approve of the remarks left on Bilgic's post. Many Pakistanis said they were"ashamed" of these comments and sincerely apologised for it. Many Turkish followers also jumped to her defence.

Some of the supporters even suggested Pakistani men "lower their gaze" and a few reminded them that the actor is from Turkey where women "wear such things in commercials". "You have no right to speak about someone else's preferences, this is secular Turkey. The person you act as doesn't have to reflect you, even a historical figure," wrote a follower.

Seeing the humour in it

Some Twitter users reshared comments made by men under Bilgic's post and picked out their favourites.

One had the perfect GIF for the occasion.

For this Twitter user, the comments are an example of how "controlling Pakistani men can get".

This user's 'like' was a protest against "Pakistani men's audacity".

Another wondered whether the men had just discovered that the actor wears a bra.

Even TV show host and RJ Anoushey Ashraf took to her Instagram story and questioned "why don't men unfollow her [Bilgic]?" She also said why can't men cover their eyes and only open them when they need to read, drive and watch TV.

This is not the first time the actor has been moral policed by Pakistanis. Two years ago desi trolls had proven to be the worst as they criticised another post of hers where she flaunted a bralette paired with black blazer. Followers from Pakistan had urged the Turkish government to take "strict action" against the actor for her choice of clothing.

Two years later, it seems history is repeating itself and Bilgic's followers still haven't learnt the difference between reel versus real. So for all the men looking to police Bilgic and her clothes — just don't. She doesn't owe you or anyone else anything and she can wear and do what she likes.

Comments

Chrís Dăn Mar 22, 2022 04:51pm
Pakistani men have village/tribal mentality.
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Jaredlee007 Mar 22, 2022 04:55pm
Well, if you show your skin then expect ALL kinds of comments. Live with it and move on.
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Mahmood Mar 22, 2022 04:59pm
Could she not find a more modest, decent and less sensational cheap publicity stunt??
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Constantine Mar 22, 2022 05:07pm
Now look at this here. The country that is number one in watching adult content is giving religious sharam haya sermons to tv actors.
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VCCCP Mar 22, 2022 05:08pm
Why do we have to promote liberalism so much in a country where most of the public holds conservative ideals? Western liberal values are not 'right' by default.
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Tan Zar Mar 22, 2022 05:30pm
Macho Pakistani men : does not worth a Lira. Esra is film actress. Turkey $9500 PK $3000. Fiqure out the life differences.
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well-wisher Mar 22, 2022 05:37pm
Just leave her alone to wear what she likes and lower your gaze to the ground.
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Changez Khan Mar 22, 2022 05:52pm
It is nobody's business.
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Dr Asim Mar 22, 2022 05:54pm
Esra is an attention seeker. Previously she said she said she did not want refugees in Turkey, then people protested on the net so she removed the tweets. Then she has indecent exposure that is not representative of what Muslim women should be having. PEMRA should ban her ASAP as she is a bad influence of Muslims world over.
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Faisal Mar 22, 2022 05:59pm
Stay mad, trolls ! :)
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NYS Mar 22, 2022 06:00pm
All of you make sure Bilgic is Turkish Muslim and they notoriously followed west
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Din Mar 22, 2022 06:24pm
Nobody's problem is Pakistan's Problem
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Dr. Salaria Amir Ahmad Mar 22, 2022 06:24pm
It's beyond me why people have an issue with she wearing a bra. All women wear bra - me too! So what?
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Ahmed Mar 22, 2022 06:50pm
We have a problem with this because it is wrong. You don't, because you don't have a problem with fahashi. You are calling us out for what you think we are doing wrong. Not that it involves you. We are calling her out because we think she is wrong. Not that it involves us.
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NotSerious Mar 22, 2022 06:50pm
Enough said!
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bhaRAT Mar 22, 2022 06:51pm
Her body, her choice. So let it be!
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Seedoo Mar 22, 2022 07:11pm
Pakistani men are the biggest hypocrites. Openly they want all women to be in burqa, but the very same men love to see pictures of naked women (mostly western) on the internet.
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SKF Mar 22, 2022 07:13pm
Who cares if she wears Bra or not? Main thing is she is entertaining Pakistani men
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Shahdab Mar 22, 2022 07:15pm
Please leave her alone to live her life. We are the last people to be advising anybody how to live their lives.
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Soniye Tu Auder Te La Mar 22, 2022 07:16pm
Ertugal-type dramas have a little long-term appeal in the Turkish mainstream - it's and another thing however, that such dramas means the world for highly religious Pakistanis. For her own career; she doesn't want to be looked at as someone who is only good for pious roles.
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VoiceOfReason Mar 22, 2022 07:21pm
I think she is just toying with the idiots.
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Shaun Mar 22, 2022 07:22pm
Sick society.
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Tariq Mar 22, 2022 07:22pm
Bunch of retards!
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A. Ali Mar 22, 2022 07:47pm
Our media more prone for disturbing entertainment relations between Turkey and Pakistan. Had it not been on print media, millions shouldn't have known about it. That was better.
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A. Ali Mar 22, 2022 07:48pm
Spare her, who are you to criticise her. She is not Meera type...
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Omar Sh. Mar 22, 2022 09:20pm
Lol these fans need to get a life. She is an actress. The characters she plays should have no relation to her real life persona.
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Captain Mar 22, 2022 09:40pm
What is this article all about? Is this an important issue to be discussed?
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Chrís Dăn Mar 22, 2022 09:53pm
@Jaredlee007 why comments on showing skin?
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Hanna Mar 22, 2022 09:55pm
@Mahmood the only person doing cheap publicity stunt is you and other Desi sore losers like you
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Chrís Dăn Mar 22, 2022 09:57pm
@Ahmed how you imposed yourself/view about lady as a judge? All human beings are equal and we can not judge others. Do you know you will go only in your own-one grave and will be accountable only for your own deeds/misdeeds. So why to judge others?
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Bhaijani Mar 22, 2022 10:06pm
Esra Bilgic ...the reason behind --Fall of the Ottoman Empire ???
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Kafao Mar 22, 2022 11:00pm
@Hanna I guess you got hurt.
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Kafao Mar 22, 2022 11:03pm
@A. Ali absolutely, 1000 of 250 million commented something and the media instead of endorsing it used it to hurt relationships between turkey and Pakistan.
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Kohi Mar 22, 2022 11:07pm
After watching Artghral Ghazi, nation consider her a real Halima Sultan Which Is not true, that was fiction, please let her live her life, she belongs to a moderate background, if her family does not have problem than who are you.
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Art Mar 22, 2022 11:10pm
Backward society, what else do you expect!
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Art Mar 22, 2022 11:10pm
@Jaredlee007 peoples skin is not your problem!
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NYS Mar 22, 2022 11:13pm
@Chrís Dăn this is not matter of village or tribal mentality it's matter of how you besiged in certain community and what highly expectations they have
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Ash Chak Mar 22, 2022 11:29pm
Do Pakistani men really think that Ertrugul is real? That it's more than just a drama?
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UFO Mar 23, 2022 01:31am
Some women have no idea of Pakistani style humour. These comments by Pakistani men under discussion were all seemingly intended for pun.
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Ramay Mar 23, 2022 01:36am
Don't behave like neanderthals,the actress is a European lady,she must wear what she wishes.
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Jondon Mar 23, 2022 02:28am
@bhaRAT what a ridiculous thing to say. So we can all go around topless and no one should object. Im embraced
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Jondon Mar 23, 2022 02:31am
@Changez Khan how can anyone take that view seriously? When it is in the public domain it is public not a personal issue!
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Jondon Mar 23, 2022 02:35am
@Chrís Dăn is anyone accountable for anything then or are we free to do as we please in life?
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Assad Mar 23, 2022 02:40am
@Mahmood Could Pakistanis not find a better use of their time?
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Dr Salaria's 2nd Cousin Mar 23, 2022 02:55am
@Mahmood : Modest according to U? That is modest!
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Dr Salaria's 2nd Cousin Mar 23, 2022 03:45am
@A. Ali : What is a Meera type? Are they good or bad?
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Mehrunisa Mar 23, 2022 05:41am
@Ahmed no one is forcing you to watch her.
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AJ Mar 23, 2022 07:59am
@Constantine lol…so true
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AJ Mar 23, 2022 07:59am
@VCCCP our own ideas are our right….perhaps you should keep your ideas to yourself.
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Ifti Malik Mar 23, 2022 08:31am
I have no problem whatsoever with Esra Bilgic wearing or not wearing a bra . I would be happy to see her in either state.
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T.A. Khan Mar 23, 2022 09:15am
She should wear whatever she likes . This is non of the business of men to criticize a lady following her outfit
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Ajeet Mar 23, 2022 10:36am
Pakistani men should stop watching porn
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Shujaat Mar 23, 2022 10:41am
@Chrís Dăn really
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Raja Mar 23, 2022 11:36am
Don’t like, don’t watch. Simple!! Don’t dictate what others should do and impose Islam on everyone shamelessly. She doesn’t want to follow islam. Her choice. She can choose like you can. Live and let live. Don’t impose.
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Shida Talli Mar 23, 2022 12:25pm
Should it be pakistanis concern if esra wears a bra or not, probably its a bigger concern for idle society.
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Nasir S. Mar 23, 2022 12:42pm
I doubt if she even gives 2 cents about what Pakistanis and specifically Pakistani men think about her.
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Khaqan Abbasi Mar 23, 2022 01:15pm
Not some, all men. Like there is problem with men taking their shirts of in public in an Islamic country. We need to go with our norms and our values. Not some one else’s cultures and values.
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IRFAN Mar 23, 2022 01:21pm
There is more skin showing in Middle Eastern movies and music videos. Some liberals ladies in these countries also feel comfortable wearing skin tight clothes, skirts, showing a bit of cleavage and even trying out bikinis. Pakistan men should watch Egyptian movies and their actress. Im not a supporter of all this but the reality is that compared to other so called Muslim countries Pakistan is way to conservative. At least this Turkish actress was wearing a blazer. We are making a big issue as if she was just wearing her bra and panties. Pakistani men should visit Turkey and see how Turkish women dress. They are way too European.
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Parvez Iqbal Mar 23, 2022 02:38pm
Where mentaly sick Pakistani men got mandate to critisize some one for her dress, every humanbeing is free to wear, drink, eat, live or travel These sick people should migrate to Afghanistan to join Taliban and seek refuge there
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Babar Mar 23, 2022 03:15pm
In the main, Pakistani men are two faced, they say one thing and do the opposite. All these men criticising Esra, yet in private the same men watch endless p.orn, watch mujra, touch and grope women in crowded places.
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Shahzad Shaikh Mar 24, 2022 09:07am
@Parvez Iqbal well said
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Shezi Mar 24, 2022 11:00am
If freedom of attire then freedom of speech guys, freedom of imagining, freedom of thinking. Grow up ! they have right to comment if she has right to flaunt anything she wears.
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PakSwine Mar 24, 2022 11:40pm
@bhaRAT Correct.
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Shahid Mar 25, 2022 07:54am
There is a positivity it too. This show, how good that TV series is where she has played "Halima". Some people are still living in that series. The same people who object to their Halima wearing revealing clothes have never objected to other ladies for revealing their body.
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