Yasir Hussain vs Turkish dramas: the debate heats up

Yasir Hussain seems to have stirred up quite a storm with his comments on Turkish dramas and Diriliş: Ertuğrul. After Mansha Pasha and Anoushey Ashraf stepped in to defend him, more members of the entertainment industry are sharing their stance on the matter.

Read more – Mehwish Hayat’s crush has been updated after watching ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’

Osman Khalid Butt discussed how the drama series can benefit Pakistan

Without taking any names, Osman addressed Yasir’s concerns that foreign content spells death for the local industry.

“Sharing my response to a post that insinuated our jobs are under threat,” wrote Osman. “I don’t recall us actors finding ourselves jobless when Ishq-e-Mamnoon or Mera Sultan were all the rage in Pakistan.”

He further said that the series can help “create more job opportunities for local dubbing/VO artists” in Pakistan.

Osman also suggested that PTV can “use the revenue generated from this series to create our own original content”.

Sharing my response to a post that insinuated our jobs are under threat:

I don't recall us actors finding ourselves jobless when Ishq-e-Mamnoon or Mera Sultan were all the rage in Pakistan. Nor did Turkish actors 'infiltrate' the local industry & replace us. – contd.

— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) May 18, 2020

Of course, I'd love it if our national television uses the revenue generated from this series to create our own original content – shows that can rival Ertugrul in narrative if not in scale, and showcase our own historical events.

— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) May 18, 2020

Maya Ali agreed with Butt

“We need to have more faith in our content, writers and work as an artist,” wrote Maya on Instagram.

Ahmed Ali Butt said that though he respected Yasir’s opinion, he did not agree with it

“One should not be crucified for voicing their concerns,” said Ahmed.

He said that Ertuğrul is a great drama which promotes Islamic values.

Butt also added that he believes that the “Government of Pakistan should grant special budgets to Pakistani production houses with specific guidelines to produce historical dramas with local talent and artists also”.

While Munib Nawaz supported Yasir and called him a true artist, Ali Kazmi said that this should be a wake up call for the industry.

Gohar Rasheed also added his ‘two cents’ on the matter

He said that “if you want job security, take ownership, and create better content. Stop being petty.”

Neelum Munir says “we should look beyond and understand its Islamic content, which has so much wisdom and teaches us the history and the values of Muslims”.

View this post on Instagram

Even though I respect views of everyone in my fraternity but I feel it's not the matter of Turkish content or Pakistani content. We should look beyond and understand that its Islamic content, which has so much wisdom and teaches us the history and the values of Muslims. They gave their lives for justice and remained on Allah's path. And they kept Islam alive. It's like reading a book which is full of great history of muslims. Let's just feel proud of our islamic heritage and get motivated and also create content in Pakistan which we should also be proud of. Allah Kareem

A post shared by Neelam Muneer Khan (@neelammuneerkhan) on May 18, 2020 at 6:13am PDT

Armeena Khan said that if you want to watch good Pakistani content, watch Hamza Ali Abbasi, Kubra Khan and Sajal Aly’s Alif

You want to watch good Pakistani content? Watch “Alif” and encourage all that you think reflects your own culture. Responsibility lies on both sides (audience and content makers) supply and demand. Thank you, have a nice day. ??

— Armeena ? (@ArmeenaRK) May 18, 2020

She added that foreign content help to build up the our industry.

I think it’s great that foreign content is airing in Pakistan and I was one of the first ones to endorse it. It builds our industry up. I never said anything against the play. The rest is all a discussion on culture, treatment of actors and abuse. https://t.co/WHJQrfrAIo

— Armeena ? (@ArmeenaRK) May 18, 2020

Yasir had urged PTV to make a historic drama using artists and technicians who pay taxes to the country.

“Landy k kapray aur Turkey k dramay, dono hee local industry ko tabah kardein gay,” the actor had written.

Following his colleagues remarks, Yasir responded saying: “Yeh humara kaam nahi hai bhai idary ka hai.”

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 PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country. According to PTV, 133.38 million people have watched the drama series from April 25- May 14. PTV’s YouTube channel has also registered an exponential rise in its viewership with 3.13 million subscribers and episodes trending every day on the social media platform.

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