Shaan is not here for PTV and PTI endorsing Turkish content.

"When a state-owned channel for which I pay taxes extends its support to foreign content, I begin to lose hope.'

'I don't have anything against Ertugrul,' actor Shaan Shahid tells me, 'or against any production that is done well.'

His Twitter feed, however, has lately seemed to depict otherwise.

The veteran actor is often in the news because of his very opinionated Tweets and this time around, he is unhappy that the government is supporting the airing of the Urdu-dubbed version of Turkish hit drama Erturgrul on PTV.

'I have never said anything against foreign content being aired on a privately aired channel,' continues Shaan.

'Some years ago, Turkish soaps Ishq-e-Mamnoon and Mera Sultan were such huge hits but they were being shown on private channels. But when a state-owned channel for which I pay taxes extends its support to foreign content - and furthermore, my government especially endorses it - I begin to lose hope.'

According to Shaan, his problems with the airing of foreign content have a lot to do with hope.

'This is an insecure time for the entire world and every working professional has certain hopes. Some of our hopes are the same: a lower foreign exchange rate, less inflation. But then, there are hopes that are unique to an industry.

Certain industries will feel hopeful if their government extends support to them by lowering taxes or providing them with aid. My industry similarly needs to feel hopeful. We need to feel like we aren't just standing alone, paying our taxes but not being supported.'

'Why hasn't the government ever tweeted on behalf of a local drama that was a hit? A local movie that did well? Even a small statement of encouragement can go a long way. Instead, they choose to tell Pakistani audiences to watch an international production. The government says that they want to reduce imports but what about cultural imports?'

A still from Dirilis Ertugrul

'And if this drama does well, don't you think that other similar dramas will also become popular? Even private channels will reduce their investment on local productions and bring in international hit dramas, dub them in Urdu and air them on our channels.'

Shaan suggests that PTV should instead make an effort towards creating stories around some of Pakistan's heroes. This is a great idea except that right now, with the entire entertainment industry quarantined away at home, grandiose new productions really can't be started off.

'And this reflects on PTV's performance...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT