‘Kuruluş: Osman’ rules Bangladesh

The Bengali dubbed Turkish mega TV series Kurulus: Osman has become one of the most popular programmes in Bangladesh, according to officials at the Dhaka-based satellite and cable channel National Television (NTV), which has been airing the series since February 2.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, senior producer of NTV, Shah Md Saifullah Saif, said that people have been lured to the series due to its interesting theme and outstanding visuals. "This is one of the most popular programmes on our television channel and it is a record success that just within one month a mega-series has gained such a massive popularity," Saif said.

He said that people in Bangladesh are getting attracted to the Turkish serial due to its depiction of history instead of mythologies. "If you watch Kurulus: Osman, you will find a very strong theme, full of excitement, excellent dialogues, awesome visual sequences, filming at some very attractive hilly and forest sites of the historic city of Istanbul," Saif added.

Turkish envoy in Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan told Anadolu Agency that Turkish serials in Bangladesh have formed a new type of bonding between the two fraternal countries. "They entice Bangladeshi tourists to visit Turkiye and explore Turkish history and culture. It is the best channel to facilitate people-to-people contacts," he said.

Rafiqul Islam, professor of the Arabic Department at Dhaka University, said that Kurulus: Osman is his favorite television programme. "Once I liked Turkish mega-series Dirilis: Ertugrul most and now Kurulus: Osman is on the top of my selection. I have never been impressed so much by any television programs in my life as I feel for these two mega-series," Islam said.

Colourful posters depicting Kurulus: Osman can be seen hanging on the walls near different street-side tea stalls and pillars of flyovers.

Blend of entertainment and knowledge

"I have already enjoyed all episodes of Kurulus: Osman through the internet with Bengali and English subtitles. Now I am enjoying the Bengali dubbing episodes with my family members," said Abdus Salam a resident of Dhaka.

He added that the series is now the most popular television programme for all of his family members and other relatives.

Bangladeshi medical scientist Firdausi Qadri, who won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2021, which is known as Asia's Nobel Prize, said that outstanding themes, dialogue, and ethical lessons have been combined in Kurulus: Osman. "I am mesmerised with this brilliant mega-series and enjoying it very much," Qadri said, adding that for the spread of good governance and social justice such a series is very important.

Nora Alam, a young writer and analyst on Muslim history, told Anadolu Agency that the serial has become popular in the Muslim majority country of Bangladesh because the people feel that the Ottoman Empire was acting like an umbrella and a shield for the Muslim community worldwide.

After watching Kurulus: Osman, people are again recalling a significant chapter of the golden history of Muslims that was established and existed based on justice not only for Muslims but also for all people, he said.

"After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, 45 states were carved out of it as independent nations. Unfortunately, most of those countries have failed to continue functioning based on justice and rule of law," Alam viewed.

Echoing his words, Mohammad Saleh Uddin, a student of Dhaka University, said that during the 800-year-long history of the Ottoman Empire, no forces dared to persecute Muslims and it also practiced justice and rule of law. "Osman's struggles against the barbaric Mongols, Knight Templars, and complex internal conspiracies of the then Seljuk dynasty. It is full of thrills, tense moments with moral lessons for the Muslim community to face the modern challenges," he said.

Across digital platforms

This mega series dubbed in Bengali has been viewed by a huge number of people through other digital platforms. Divided into smaller episodes, the Toffee app has been releasing the series for Bengali-language people around the world.

The first episode of season two has been viewed 5.2 million times through the Toffee app, meaning at least 20 million people have watched it.

Another website, Onubad Media, also releases the episodes of the mega serial every morning with Bengali subtitles, allowing people in Bangladesh to watch Kurulus: Osman through multiple platforms.

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