First pictures from the sets of ‘Selahaddin Eyyubi’

The joint venture, in which 25 percent of the cast is Pakistani, is going to go on floors in October. The first out of 30 episodes are scheduled to be released in December, as per Arab News. Produced by Pakistan’s Ansari & Shah Films and Turkey’s Akli Films, the show will see a Turkish actor essay the titular role of Salahuddin Ayyubi. The series, that is also being helmed by Adnan Siddiqui and Humayun Saeed, will feature Omar and Ushna Shah, among others.

Built on 200 acres, 50 acres of the land dedicated to the production is reserved for Salahuddin’s historic palace in Damascus. The set also features shops, quarters of Muslim and Christian communities of the time, and a mosque is also being constructed in its vicinity.

Designers detailed how they have been working on the project paperwork for the past four months. They also reportedly stated that the Mosque built for the series will remain operational after filming is completed. The massive production drama has a similarly huge cast and crew, much of which was present at the set launch.

Pictures show our near and dear celebrities posing ahead of the landmarks mentioned, however, details of the structures were left out. Siddiqui, albeit, spoke to Arab News during the virtual launch from Istanbul. “It’s happening for the first time that Pakistani producers are investing in a Turkish production,” he told the outlet. “Salahuddin Ayyubi was a figure who is liked in Europe as well. He was a leader for the world,” he said. “As far as Muslims are concerned, audiences will get to see Muslims’ contribution to Islamic history.”

The Pakistani producer, Kashif Ansari from Ansari and Shah Films, told Arab News that 16 Muslim and non-Muslim historians have worked on the script for 10 months to ensure the story depicts the truth. “Islam’s true image, that the West is not ready to depict, will be presented in the series,” he assured. “There is no counter-narrative to how Muslims are otherwise represented in foreign productions.”

For Ansari, the series will aim to unite people “under the banner of humanity.” He added, “The production will show that there are good and bad people in every religion. Key themes tackled in the series include justice, respect, humanity and equality, irrespective of one’s religion.” Presenting the example of Ertugrul, the Turkish series that broke viewership records and enjoyed immense popularity in Pakistan a couple of years ago, Ansari continued, “The secret to Dirilis: Ertugrul’s success is that it talked about humanity, it talked about justice, love, and unity that made people realise this is also a way to live.”

Earlier, while inviting fans to join the virtual set launch, Siddiqui had called Selahaddin Eyyubi an “epic” based on the life of the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. “It is a joint venture between the four of us and Akli Films. Be there to be a part of history,” he had urged in a short clip. The Dum Mastam producer further explained how the series came together and of course, how Ertugrul inspired its making.

“Today I have a very important news to deliver — let me delve into the past for you to understand better. Around three, three and a half years ago, Kashif Ansari called me from the US and extended an offer, asking me to join him in visiting Ertugrul’s set and shrine. Without a moment’s hesitation, I accepted. There began talks that led to us considering a production together. That wasn’t possible due to a teething problem but as a result, we are on our way to do a very big project together.”

Siddiqui concluded with a prayer for the series to make a significant impact.

Selahaddin Eyyubi will revolve around the life of the famed 12th-century Muslim commander Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi, the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, Salahuddin (1138-1193), who led the Muslim military campaign against the Crusader states in the Levant. After the battle of Hattin in 1187, he retook Jerusalem from the Crusaders who had conquered Palestine 88 years earlier.

Last year in October, show producers from both countries had met the then PM Imran Khan to announce the joint production. Imran stressed the need to familiarise the younger generation with Muslim history and expressed the hope that the use of multimedia could prove helpful in this regard. “The series on the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi 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.”