The first-ever Pak-Turk collaboration (Akli Films and Ansari Shah Films of Pakistan) based on the life of the 12th century Muslim warrior king Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi is being shaping steadily.
Flashback-2022: Helming the affairs from Pakistan, executive producers Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui gave us snippets from the sets of ‘Selahaddin Eyyubi’ in Istanbul and announced the cast members from Pakistan featuring Ayesha Omar and Ushna Shah amongst others.
Back Live-2023: Adding more to the curiosity, the magnum opus project sees a major development. The series that aims to redefine historic storytelling has roped in Turkish actor Ugur Günes to play the lead role of the iconic Selahadin Eyyubi.
The Protagonist: Uğur Güneş rose to fame with his stunning act as Tugtekin Bey in ‘Dirilis: Ertugrul’. The series gave him wide recognition and critical acclaim. Moreover, he bagged the award for the best actor from prestigious institution like the Ankara Ministry of Youth.
Güneş was also awarded the Jury Special Award at Young Turkey Summit Academy Awards 2017 for his performance in TV series ‘Isimsizler’. Moreover, he was honored with the best series trio award for ‘Bir Zamanlar Çukurova’ at the 24th Golden Lens Award 2019. With his remarkable talent and on-screen presence, Güneş is poised to offer an unparalleled portrayal of the revered king.
According to a press release, Humayun Saeed shared his views of Ugur Günes joining the project. “Ugur Günes’s portrayal of Salahuddin Ayyubi will undoubtedly bring a new dimension to the character’s persona. This collaboration speaks volumes about the strength of the bond we share.”
Adnan Siddiqui voiced his thoughts on the same and said, “We are thrilled to embark on this artistic journey that celebrates our shared history and artistic excellence. Through ‘Salahuddin,’ we aim to honor the legacy of a legendary figure while forging stronger ties between our nations.”
This epic saga will delve into the life and times of Sultan Eyyubi, portraying his unwavering leadership, valor, and contributions to history. As the series explores his legacy, it also seeks to reinforce the enduring friendship and partnership between Pakistan and Turkey. The exchange of talent and artistic ideas through this endeavor underscores the mutual respect and admiration the two nations have for each other.
