In a groundbreaking collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey, Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi is all set to roll. TRT 1, Uğur Güneş, Adnan Siddiqui, and the other producers unveiled the long-awaited teaser for the historical series about the life of the revered Muslim ruler and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. The series will chronicle the renowned commander’s capture of Jerusalem in the Crusades and is scheduled to release on TRT 1 on November 13 this year.
Previously, Pakistani veteran actors Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui, along with Dr. Kashif Ansari, Ahmet Faruk Bakacak, and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, were reported to have joined forces to bring this epic production to the screen.
Taking to Instagram to share the teaser, Siddiqui penned an emotional message, stating, “Witness the epic saga of Selahaddin Eyyubi, a true warrior king. Our upcoming period piece invites you to an era of unmatched valor and honor. Brace yourself as history’s grandeur unfolds.” The caption also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team, including Shah, Ansari, Saeed, and the production companies, Ansari-Shah Films and Akli Films, the creative forces behind the much-awaited historical production.
The lead role of Sultan Selahaddin Eyyubi will be portrayed by the Turkish actor Uğur Güneş, renowned for his debut in TRT’s other famous historical series Diriliş: Ertuğrul in which he played Tugtekin Bey. Selahaddin Eyyubi is being filmed on a colossal set, replicating the ancient city of Damascus, sprawling across a vast 200-acre area. This meticulously designed set includes recreations of mosques, bustling bazaars, grand palaces, and historic homes.
In October 2021, the producers from both countries met the former PM Imran Khan to announce the joint production. Khan stressed the need to familiarise the younger generation with Muslim history and expressed the hope that the use of cross-media collaborations could prove helpful in this regard. “The series on the life of Selahaddin Eyyubi will make the youth aware of his historic role,” he said. “It is high time to make dramas and films based on historical narrative rather than opting for routine topics.”
