Several Pakistani artists snubbed for roles in Salauddin Ayyubi series

Pakistani artists snubbed for roles in Salauddin Ayyubi series

Auditions were held in two major cities of Pakistan for the cast of the show based on the popular Islamic warrior. 

Entertainment Desk

A couple of months ago, news of Turkey and Pakistan set to co-produce a television series on the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi made rounds. The upcoming project brings together two big production houses from both countries. It was then shared that the series, featuring actors from Turkey and Pakistan, will be shot in Turkey and is planned to have three seasons.

Now, auditions were held in two major cities of Pakistan for the cast of the show based on the popular Islamic warrior. However, according to Independent Urdu, many renowned Pakistani actors failed to bag the role of Eyyubi. Spilling the beans on the said auditions, Dr Kashif Ansari of Ansari & Shah Films, the Pakistani partner of this joint production, confirmed that auditions were held in Karachi and Lahore in October as artists from Islamabad had come down to Lahore to participate.

He said, "Out of more than 6,000 candidates, a total of 60 Pakistani artists have got golden tickets in these auditions, out of which 18 are from Lahore and 42 from Karachi." The big names who have been selected include Ayesha Omar, Adnan Jilani, Farhan Agha and Ushna Shah. Ansari further added, "One of the prominent Pakistani artists to not have made the cut for the much-awaited series is famous model Nadia Hussain."

At the same time, Ansari claimed prior to this particular audition for a collaborative series, no other drama had created such a hype that who's who of the Pakistani entertainment industry had come in for trials. He also added that audition tapes will be released soon.

"There is, however, another spell of auditions to be conducted in January of next year and then later on in March," Ansari continued. "This time around, the said auditions will be held in Turkey and, if necessary, then in Pakistan."

Ansari commented that he had also met with Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan recently. Regarding his meeting with PM Imran, Ansari said that Salahuddin City will be inaugurated in Turkey between March 15 and 20, 2022 with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Pakistani premier as special guests.