Turkey’s support of Pakistan causes counterblast on Turkish operas in India. Zee5 has removed popular Turkish series; other OTT platforms may follow suit, prioritizing public sentiment and brand image above all.
Anshu Kashid
Pune | May 17,2025: Amid growing political tension between India and Pakistan, Turkish entertainment content is now facing backlash in India due to Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan. After the ban on Pakistani dramas years ago, a new wave of protest is targeting Turkish series, leading to their quiet removal from Indian OTT platforms.
According to a Mid-Day report, leading streaming platform Zee5 has already taken down its entire Turkish drama catalogue, including popular series like Ertugrul and Feriha. Other platforms are reportedly considering similar actions, while some have put a freeze on acquiring new Turkish content.
Zee5, without making any official announcement, recently pulled shows like Relationship Status: It’s Complicated and other Turkish titles. A source from the platform told media, “We noticed public sentiment shifting over the past few days. Although there was no direct government order, we made this decision considering both our business interests and our reputation.”
Over the last few years, Turkish dramas found a strong fan base in India, especially on OTT and YouTube. Series showcasing powerful storytelling and high production values were widely loved, drawing comparisons to Indian soap operas and even attracting loyal online followings.
But Indian viewers and internet groups have started calling for the elimination of Turkish content in protest as Turkey publicly supports Pakistan on international venues. Several YouTube channels have also allegedly deleted Turkish shows or are currently under process.
As India continues to navigate diplomatic sensitivities, the ripple effect is becoming increasingly visible across cultural exchanges, digital entertainment, and business decisions tied to public sentiment.
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