Four well-known Pakistani artists have been finalised to feature in upcoming Pak-Turk joint drama series based on the life of Salahuddin Ayubi. The series will focus on the life of the great Muslim leader better known in the West as Saladin.

As per media reports the four celebrities who have been selected include, Ayesha Omar, Ushna Shah, Farhan Ali Agha and Adnan Jilani. Over 6,000 professional and budding actors had applied for the tryouts, but only 62 were short-listed for the Islamic warrior series, to be screened in Pakistan and Turkey simultaneously.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, renowned Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui, who was named executive producer alongside Humayun Saeed, Dr. Kashif Ansari, and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, remarked, “I am excited, I can feel it in my bones that this particular series would do wonders for Pakistanis.”

The much-anticipated drama series will be shot in Turkey on sets custom-built for the project.

Turkish producer Emre Konuk, owner of Akli Film in a tweet said, “A contract has been reached between Akli Films and Ansari & Shah Films regarding the upcoming Pak-Turk joint series.”

“The upcoming show had already garnered a large amount of attention even before its release as was evident from the registered numbers of applicants, willing to play a role in the series,” Konuk remarked.

Konuk further informed that they were in Pakistan to discuss the yet-to-released collaboration. He said they had exchanged views with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other high-level personalities associated with Pakistan’s cinema industry and the world of culture.

The Turkish producer further noted that PM Imran was an admirer of Salahudddin. Quoting the premiere, he said, “Prime Minister Khan believes that this project will resonate in the world and that it will also be very valuable for the younger generations.”