Based on the greatest Ottoman emperor who ever lived, Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent also known as Kanuni or the Lawgiver in history, Mera Sultan forms an essential part of Muslim history, one which we know little about thanks to the Mughal obsession of the sub-continenet. Coming into power at a mere 26 years  of age, he sought to build an empire more powerful and more extensive than Alexander The Great’s and to render the Ottomans invincible. And he had no bones about admitting it! Played by Halit Ergenc who is magnificent in the role of a life time, Mera Sultan traces the 46-year reign of Sultan Suleyman. Originally called Muhtesem Yuzyil which translates to Magnificent Century and not 'My Sultan' the Turkish name refers to what the period of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent's reign is called, dramatizing the intrigues of his harem and court. Most of the incidents and action are based on fictional stories of the Ottomans, especially of Sultan Süleyman and his harem. But as they say there is no smoke without fire…

When it was dubbed for Geo Kahaani, they decided to call it Mera Sultan, because the heart of the story lies in the fascinating Hurrem who came to be known as Roxelena in the West. She was a Eastern European girl who ended up at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul as a gift to the Sultan, amongst a host of other women. She heard that if she could bear the Sultan a son and stole his heart, she would rise to be queen and she sets about doing that. Over the course of Sultan Suleyman’s reign. Hurrem would become his most constant companion, bearing him five children and being very much the first lady of that powerful court. The climb to those dizzying heights wasn’t easy, but it was very exciting...

There is the harem and then there are women with real ties to the Sultan. There is the Valide Sultan, his mother. There is Mahidevran, the consort who bore the Sultan his first son who is her hot favourite and there are umpteen players in the courts who don't like Hurrem's rise to the top and will do anything to stop it. Then there

is Hatice Sultan, the Sultan's sister who is in love with his constant companion Ibrahim Parguli who is one of Hurrem's worst enemies..

There are wars and hunts and court politics and harem politics. Mera Sultan is an insight into the real life game of thrones played in every kingly court and breathes life into historical characters. It shows you the ambition and wisdom of Suleyman the Magnificent and sheds light on the women no one ever bothered much with. Hurrem, or Roxelena as she is known went down in history as one of the most influential Queens ever in the Muslim world. They say behind every successful man there is a woman and behind Suleyman the Magnificent it was this slave girl who set about to win his heart and learned how to make an indelible space for herself and her children in his empire.

There is something about historical fiction that is more appealing that the text book and it makes for epic television. Stories of conquerors and concubines, the intrigues of the court make riveting television. Forget the Ewings, Colbys and  Carringtons of Dallas and Dynasty, nothing beats the magnificence of the court. And while we know enough about the Tudors and Windsors thanks to umpteen TV series, movies, et al, Muslim history is largely uncharted save for the occasional Mughal e Azam or Tipu Sultan. Here at home, years ago, PTV telecast Shaheen based on Nasim Hijazi's historical novel that was about the Crusades and the fight between Muslim and Christian forces. Even back then it was controversial, history always is as is its retelling. It was as controversial as Mera Sultan is now. And Mera Sultan, the most popular Turkish soap ever is making waves round the world and is proving to be immensely popular in Pakistan. Here's why the play has people hooked...

Mera Sultan has met with much criticism in Turkey, but has proven to be immensely popular and not only there, it continues to win kudos from around the world. According to Wikipedia, “Magnificent Century is hugely successful in the Balkans. A Nielsen Media Research market study found out that it is the most watched TV show in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013 and the fourth most successful show in Serbia. The show is part of a ongoing revival of Turkish culture in the Balkans through imported TV shows from Turkey, such as ‘Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki’ (As Time Goes By, number one TV show in Macedonia), or ‘Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne?’ (What Is Fatmagül's Fault), which was the top ranked TV show in Kosovo 2012. Serbian sociologist Ratko Bozovic explains the popularity by pointing at the traditional, patriarchal values of the Turkish shows, and the many cultural and linguistic similarities between Turkey and the Balkan countries: “The mentality depicted in those shows has to do with a traditional understanding of morality that people in Serbia remember at some level.” According to him all Balkan countries have seen dramatic changes in terms of family life, and the Turkish shows help them recall value systems that now seem lost. In Greece, the series has become quite popular. It has become so popular that Bishop Anthimos of Thessaloniki and the Golden Dawn party condemned the show and urged Greeks not to watch it. 'No one should watch Muhtesem Yüzy¦l, The Magnificent Century," Anthimos said."By watching the Turkish series we are telling them we have surrendered." In the Republic of Macedonia, Turkish series have become so popular, that the Republic of Macedonia’s parliament has moved to ban Turkish soaps to reduce the Turkish impact on Macedonian society. Turkish series will gradually be removed and replaced by national programs, according to a new bill.”

Do check out Mera Sultan to see what the fuss is about all over the world. We're loving the show and hope the people at Geo Kahaani have the foresight to get the DVD rights for this historical soap opera. This one is definitely a keeper.