VIDEO: Engin Altan says ‘Lahore Lahore Hai’

Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan arrived in Lahore on Thursday for a short visit “at the invitation of a private business company”.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday, the star of Diriliş: Ertuğrul revealed that he had signed some new projects in Pakistan, adding that he was set to become the brand ambassador for a private textile company. He also said that this visit was the first of many more to come.

Talking about the popularity of series in Pakistan, the Turkish actor said it was a “great pleasure” for him that Prime Minister Imran Khan praised the drama series and recommended his countrymen to watch it.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Imran Khan for praising Diriliş: Ertuğrul,” said Engin at the press conference. “It was a big drama series based on an Islamic story.”

Sharing details about how his visit is going, Engin said: “I know Pakistani people love me. I am also aware about the natural beauty of the country,” adding that he would love to visit the mountains the North.

He also said that he enjoyed tasting Pakistani food and that it was “very delicious, but much too spicy”.

When asked if he would consider working in Pakistani dramas, Engin responded: “Why not! I would love to work in a Pakistani drama or film, given the right opportunity. If the script is good then why not.”

Engin also showed off his Urdu vocabulary by saying “Shukriya” and “Lahore, Lahore Hai“.

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Altan landed in Pakistan on Thursday upon the invitation of a business company Chaudhary Textiles with who he has reportedly signed a contract worth Rs 17 crores. Pictures of his visit have been going viral on social media.

Often described as the Turkish Game of Thrones, Diriliş: Ertuğrul is being aired on the recommendation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Set in 13th century Anatolia and based on the struggle of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending in the country ever since its first episode aired on the first of Ramzan.

In an exclusive interview with The Current, Senator Faisal Javed Khan had revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

Earlier in September, Cavit Çetin Güner, who plays Dogan Alp the series also visited Pakistan and spent a few days in Islamabad.