Turkish Dramas and Films in India: A Growing Obsession Across Cities and Platforms
By Amit Singh
Pune, 16th May 2025: Over the past decade, Turkish television dramas and films have established a significant presence in India’s entertainment landscape. Their emotional narratives, cultural parallels, and high production values have resonated with Indian audiences across metropolitan and smaller cities alike. This comprehensive report examines the rise of Turkish content in India, analyzing consumption patterns across various cities and platforms, supported by available data and trends.
The Emergence of Turkish Content in India
The introduction of Turkish dramas, known as “dizis,” to Indian audiences began in 2015 with the broadcast of Adını Feriha Koydum (Feriha) on Zee Zindagi. The show’s success paved the way for other Turkish series such as Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? and Kara Sevda. The appeal of these dramas lies in their exploration of themes like family values and emotional storytelling, which align closely with Indian cultural sensibilities. The availability of dubbed versions in Hindi and regional languages, along with subtitles, has further facilitated their widespread acceptance.
City-Wise Consumption Patterns
1. Delhi
- Popularity: Delhi has emerged as a significant hub for Turkish drama consumption, attributed to its diverse population and access to streaming platforms.
- Titles Watched: Diriliş: Ertuğrul, Kara Sevda, Feriha, Siyah Beyaz Aşk.
- Platforms: Netflix, MX Player, Zee5, and YouTube are predominant, with dubbed versions on MX Player and Zee Zindagi being particularly popular.
- Trends: The youth in Delhi actively engage on social media, fostering fan communities and discussions around Turkish actors.
2. Mumbai
- Popularity: As India’s entertainment capital, Mumbai hosts a vibrant fanbase for Turkish dramas, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
- Titles Watched: The Protector, Ethos, Kara Sevda, Aşk Laftan Anlamaz.
- Platforms: Netflix leads due to its original Turkish series. MX Player and Zee5 also have a significant presence.
- Trends: Industry professionals in Mumbai have noted Turkish storytelling as an inspiration, leading to Indian adaptations of Turkish series.
3. Bengaluru
- Popularity: Bengaluru’s tech-savvy population has embraced Turkish dramas alongside other international content.
- Titles Watched: Sen Çal Kapımı, Erkenci Kuş, Gaddar.
- Platforms: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are widely used, with MX Player’s free Hindi-dubbed content attracting a broad audience.
- Trends: Social media influencers in Bengaluru often promote Turkish dramas, contributing to their popularity.
4. Kolkata
- Popularity: Kolkata’s audience, known for appreciating emotional and historical narratives, has shown a growing interest in Turkish dramas.
- Titles Watched: Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?, Feriha, Kızıl Goncalar.
- Platforms: Zee Zindagi and Zee5 are popular due to their early adoption of Turkish content.
- Trends: Viewers in Kolkata appreciate women-centric narratives, with discussions on social issues being prevalent.
5. Hyderabad
- Popularity: Hyderabad’s diverse demographic and growing OTT user base have boosted Turkish drama consumption.
- Titles Watched: Kuruluş: Osman, The Protector, Endless Love.
- Platforms: Netflix, MX Player, and Disney+ Hotstar offer a mix of dubbed and subtitled content.
- Trends: The Muslim community in Hyderabad has shown particular interest in historical dramas, with fan-organized watch parties being common.
6. Chennai
- Popularity: Chennai’s audience, traditionally inclined toward Tamil cinema, has embraced Turkish dramas through OTT platforms.
- Titles Watched: Medcezir, Kara Para Aşk, Sen Çal Kapımı.
- Platforms: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video cater to premium audiences, while MX Player and YouTube attract mass viewers with dubbed content.
- Trends: College students in Chennai actively participate in online fan communities, sharing content related to Turkish dramas.
7. Tier-2 and Smaller Cities (e.g., Ranchi, Lucknow, Jaipur)
- Popularity: Smaller cities have shown a surprising appetite for Turkish content, driven by affordable OTT platforms and dubbed shows.
- Titles Watched: Diriliş: Ertuğrul, Feriha, The Promise.
- Platforms: MX Player and YouTube dominate due to their free access model.
- Trends: Word-of-mouth and social media recommendations drive viewership in these cities.
Platform-Wise Consumption
1. Zee Zindagi
- Overview: Pioneered Turkish dramas in India, starting with Feriha in 2015.
- Popular Titles: Feriha, Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?, Kara Sevda, Aşk-ı Memnu.
- Reach: Remains popular in metros and Hindi-speaking regions.
- Impact: Attracted a loyal female audience, with some shows inspiring Indian remakes.
2. Netflix
- Overview: Offers original Turkish series and licensed dramas, appealing to urban, premium audiences.
- Popular Titles: Diriliş: Ertuğrul, The Protector, Ethos, As the Crow Flies, Kara Para Aşk.
- Reach: Dominant in metros and Tier-1 cities.
- Impact: Subtitled and dubbed options cater to diverse viewers, with historical and thriller genres attracting a broad audience.
3. MX Player
- Overview: Free, ad-supported model offering Hindi-dubbed versions of popular Turkish dramas.
- Popular Titles: Erkenci Kuş, Bizim Hikaye, Yemin, Feriha, Brave and Beautiful.
- Reach: Favored in Tier-2 and smaller cities due to its free access.
- Impact: Dubbed content appeals to Hindi-speaking audiences, driving high engagement.
4. YouTube
- Overview: Major platform for Turkish dramas, offering free access to dubbed and subtitled episodes.
- Popular Titles: Feriha, Kara Sevda, Aşk Laftan Anlamaz, Diriliş: Ertuğrul.
- Reach: Accessible across all cities, especially in smaller towns.
- Impact: Free model and availability of Hindi-dubbed episodes make it a go-to for budget-conscious viewers.
5. Amazon Prime Video
- Overview: Offers a curated selection of Turkish dramas, focusing on premium content.
- Popular Titles: Sen Çal Kapımı, Medcezir, Kızıl Goncalar.
- Reach: Popular in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Chennai.
- Impact: High-quality streaming and exclusive titles attract a niche audience.
6. Disney+ Hotstar
- Overview: Limited but growing selection of Turkish dramas, often dubbed in Hindi.
- Popular Titles: Endless Love, New Bride, The Promise.
- Reach: Extends to metros and Tier-1 cities.
- Impact: Affordable pricing and dubbed content make it competitive, though it lags behind other platforms in Turkish drama offerings.
7. Television Channels
- Overview: Channels like Star Plus and Rishtey have aired select Turkish shows.
- Popular Titles: Kış Güneşi, Aşk-ı Memnu.
- Reach: More popular in Tier-2 and rural areas.
- Impact: Introduced Turkish dramas to older audiences, though their reach has diminished with the rise of OTT platforms.
