Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi Drama Review

Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi Drama Review:“Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi” (English: Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem) is a Turkish television series co-produced by Akli Film from Turkey and Ansari and Shah Films. It chronicles the life of Saladin, the renowned founder of the Ayyubid dynasty.

Production for the series commenced in the summer of 2022, with a focus on introducing the rich Muslim history to non-Muslim audiences. The script is crafted by a team of Turkish historians, with support from Pakistani historians and research writers.

Story

The television series delves into the life of Salahuddin, a prominent Muslim ruler of the 12th century, highlighting his conquest of Jerusalem. It explores his challenges and conflicts against the Crusaders, as well as his ambition to unify Muslim territories including Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Egypt under his leadership.

In the narrative, Saladin is depicted as the adopted son of Nur ad-Din Zengi, unaware of his adoption and true parentage.

Main Casts

Uğur Güneş	Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub	Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu	Nūr al-Dīn Maḥmūd Zengī
Seda Yıldız	Ayyūb ibn Shādhi	Zeynep Kumral	Fatma Hatun
Ali Ersan Duru	Turan Shah	Burak Sarimola	Shehinshah

Production

On August 20, 2021, an agreement was inked in Belgrade between Emre Konuk, the proprietor of Akli Film Production, and Pakistan’s Ansari & Shah Films producers, Dr. Kashif Ansari and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, for the production of the new series titled “Selahaddin Eyyubi.” Emre expressed his joy via Twitter, announcing the collaboration between Akli Films and Ansari & Shah Films for “Sultan Selahaddin Ayyubi.” This international venture, a cooperative effort between Turkey and Pakistan, aims to enrich both countries’ artistic realms.

Subsequently, on October 18, 2021, a delegation from Turkey arrived at Islamabad International Airport to commence auditions for the drama series in Lahore and Karachi. During their visit, they paid homage to the Faisal Mosque and held official meetings with the Prime Minister and various other government officials to announce the Pak-Turk collaboration. Auditions were conducted at Nishat Hotel in Lahore and DHA in Karachi, with Berna Kürekci and Ahmet Faruk serving as judges. Shooting for the series commenced on September 2, 2023.

Casting

The series will feature actors hailing from both Turkey and Pakistan, with 75% of the cast being Turkish, including the role of Selahaddin, and the remaining 25% from Pakistan. To facilitate this collaboration, Turkey’s Akli Film Production announced plans to scout for talent in Pakistan from October 28 to November 1, 2021, in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. The series attracted a staggering 10,000 applications from Pakistan, reflecting the keen interest of individuals wishing to be part of it. Following extensive auditions, 60 Pakistani artists were selected, with 18 from Lahore and 42 from Karachi, earning coveted spots to contribute to the series.

Filming

The TV series, set in Turkey, is slated for three seasons, with each season comprising 34 episodes, as disclosed by Adnan Siddiqui. Production kicked off on January 29, 2022, with producer Emre Konuk sharing an Instagram post captioned, “Selahaddin Eyyubi soon.” Nearly 240 acres of land have been secured in Istanbul, where replicas of Makkah, Jerusalem, Tikrit, and various cities of Syria and Egypt will be erected.

Originally, these cities were scheduled to be inaugurated in Turkey between March 15 and 20, 2022, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as special guests. However, this event was canceled due to a No-confidence motion against Imran Khan, resulting in his removal from office.

Writing

“Selahaddin Eyyubi” will engage sixteen writers across its three seasons. Turkish historians are leading the scriptwriting, supported by Pakistan’s palaeographers and research writers. Kashif Ansari emphasized that the screenwriters have collaborated with Turkish historians, researchers, and authors to ensure historical accuracy. The initial groundwork for the series was finalized by September, followed by screen testing after the casting process was completed.

Coming Soon on HUM TV

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through time as “Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi” graces Pakistani screens. This series promises to deliver a captivating portrayal of the legendary Sultan’s life, highlighting his pivotal role in history. From his humble beginnings to his ascent as a formidable leader, the show explores the triumphs, trials, and sacrifices of this iconic figure. With Urdu dubbing, HUM TV ensures that this historical saga reaches a broader audience, allowing viewers in Pakistan and worldwide to immerse themselves in the gripping tale of Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi in their own language. Get ready for an epic saga of courage, honor, and resilience that will leave a lasting impact.