TV Dramas and Diplomacy as Bangladesh and Turkey Draw Closer

In a recording studio located in Dhaka, voice actor Rubaiya Matin Gity is dubbing the newest Turkish soap opera, which is set to become a hu...

In a recording studio located in Dhaka, voice actor Rubaiya Matin Gity is dubbing the newest Turkish soap opera, which is set to become a huge success in Bangladesh — a pop-culture phenomenon that highlights the strengthening relationship between the two nations.

"Yasmeen! Yasmeen! I have fallen in love..." the 32-year-old performer exclaimed in Bangla, her gaze directed at the screen showing fresh episodes of the Turkish series "Kara Sevda," also known as "Endless Love," which has drawn in millions of viewers across the South Asian country.

The rise of Turkish series, which is now surpassing the previously unmatched appeal of Indian TV dramas, indicates a shift that goes well beyond Bangladeshi television.

It reflects changing partnerships and growing diplomatic, commercial, and military ties between the two Muslim-majority countries, which are 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles) apart.

More Turkish eateries are emerging in Bangladesh, with a growing enthusiasm for learning the language, accompanied by renewed diplomatic warmth between the two nations, all while tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi continue to escalate.

A temporary administration has been in charge of Bangladesh since a revolt last year removed the authoritarian leadership of Sheikh Hasina — she fled to her former ally India, where she has refused to return, causing tensions between the two neighboring countries to become tense.

'New opportunities'

Relations between Ankara and Dhaka have not always been smooth, but they "are becoming stronger nowadays," stated Md Anwarul Azim, a professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka.

"He mentioned that the relationship faced challenges twice," he said, initially in 1971 when Bangladesh split from Pakistan, and again in 2013 when Dhaka executed individuals charged with war crimes committed during the independence movement.

Bilateral trade is still limited, but Azim mentioned that Turkey provides Bangladesh with a different option compared to its dependence on China as the primary source of military equipment.

The head of Ankara's defense sector, Haluk Gorgun, traveled to Dhaka in July, while the chief of Bangladesh's army, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, is set to arrive in Turkey later this month to explore the manufacturing of military hardware.

Bangladesh has also expressed interest in Turkish drones, technology that Ankara is said to have provided to Pakistan, India's main rival.

The temporary leader of Dhaka, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated he is "focused on further strengthening" relations with Ankara, following a meeting with a Turkish parliamentary group this month.

"Bangladesh is prepared to collaborate closely with Turkiye to create new prospects for our citizens," Yunus stated.

Classes, clothes and horses

In addition to official relationships, cultural connections are also becoming stronger.

Ezaz Uddin Ahmed, 47, the head of programming at the channel that introduced Turkish dramas in Bangladesh, mentioned that Deepto TV has "a committed group of translators, scriptwriters, voice actors, and editors" who are working to fulfill the increasing demand.

Its popular success emerged in 2017 with a historical epic that outshone Indian TV series and "exceeded all others" in terms of appeal, Ahmed stated.

Building on that success, Deepto TV and other Bangladeshi channels acquired additional Turkish content -- ranging from historical Ottoman series to modern family-oriented dramas.

There has been a growing interest in the Turkish language, with many top institutions now providing classes.

I teach 20 students in one class," mentioned Sheikh Abdul Kader, a trainer and economics professor at Jagannath University. "There is increasing interest.

For some, the fascination with all things Turkish goes even further.

Businesswoman Tahiya Islam, 33, has introduced a clothing collection with a Turkish theme, and drawing from Ottoman customs, she also began learning to ride horses.

During the time of the Ottoman Empire, couples would ride horses together," she mentioned. "Today, my husband also rides — and I even own my own horse.