Arafta: Bound by Fate lead actors Emin Günenç and İlsu Demirci have named Aamir Khan as the Bollywood star they both know and love. In their first joint interview with Hindustan Times, the Turkish actors opened up about their growing fanbase in India, their curiosity about the country, and why Aamir Khan remains the one Indian film name they grew up watching.
Emin Günenç Names Aamir Khan as His Bollywood Favourite
When the conversation turned to Indian cinema, Emin Günenç did not hesitate. The actor, who plays Ateş Karahan in the Turkish drama, said his knowledge of Bollywood begins and ends with Aamir Khan. “As for Indian cinema, the one actor I know and whose films I’ve watched is Aamir Khan,” he said.
Günenç also spoke about the surprising reach of the show in India. “We receive so many incredible messages from Indian fans—I even heard that I made it onto the main television news there,” he added. He said both he and İlsu are eager to visit India if an invitation comes their way.
İlsu Demirci Shares the Same Pick
İlsu Demirci, who plays Mercan Yıldırım, echoed her co-star’s choice. “I’m the same—I only really know Aamir Khan from watching his movies when I was younger,” she said. Demirci admitted she does not actively follow Indian series right now, but she remains curious about the country and its massive fanbase for Arafta.
“We know we have a massive fanbase there, and I would love to go see it all in person one day.”
Both actors acknowledged that they are not deeply familiar with the wider Indian entertainment industry, which makes their shared pick of Aamir Khan stand out even more.
Why Aamir Khan Connects with Turkish Viewers
Aamir Khan’s films have travelled far outside India for years, finding audiences in countries including China, South Korea, and Turkey. Titles like 3 Idiots, Dangal, and PK have performed well in international markets, making him one of the most recognised Indian actors in Turkey. For Günenç and Demirci, Aamir Khan represents the Bollywood they grew up with.
Arafta: A Turkish Drama with a Global Reach
Arafta: Bound by Fate premiered on November 21, 2025, with a YouTube-first release strategy from GoQuest Media and Rains Pictures. The show centres on Ateş Karahan, a wealthy man haunted by a painful childhood who returns with one goal: revenge. His plan involves a 187-day contract marriage with Mercan Yıldırım, the daughter of the family he blames for his suffering.
The arrangement is meant to hurt Mercan’s father, but shared time forces both characters to face feelings they never expected. Their relationship moves between anger, attraction, mistrust, and moments of weakness, becoming the heart of the series.
India Embraces Arafta in a Big Way
India has become one of the show’s strongest international markets. Arafta streams in Hindi on Amazon MX Player, where viewers can watch it for free. The Hindi-dubbed version began rolling out on April 28, 2026, with new episodes typically arriving every Wednesday.
The show has also built a large community across its official YouTube channels. According to Turkish media reports, Arafta has crossed 850 million views and secured licensing deals in 19 territories worldwide. Its subscriber base across Turkish, Arabic, Urdu, English, and Spanish channels has passed 2.5 million.
Indian fans have shown their love in creative ways. In June 2026, Günenç and Demirci received surprise gifts from India, including a beige-gold sherwani for him and a red Banarasi bandhani saree for her. The show’s second leads, Çağrı Baylan and İlay Karataş, were also filmed dancing to Bole Chudiyan from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
Season 2 Is Already Streaming
Following the response to its debut season, GoQuest Media and Rains Pictures greenlit a second season of Arafta: Bound by Fate. Season 2 premiered on July 23, 2026, and continues the story of Ateş and Mercan. New episodes release on the official YouTube channel, with Indian viewers able to watch through the Arafta Hindi YouTube channel.
Episodes premiere at 5:00 PM Turkey time, which is 7:30 PM IST for viewers in India. Indian fans can also stream episodes for free on Prime Video, though that platform’s release typically arrives on Friday rather than the same evening.
Where to Watch Arafta Globally
Viewers outside India and Turkey have several options to follow the show. Here is a quick breakdown of where Arafta: Bound by Fate is available:
- India: Free on Amazon MX Player in Hindi; episodes also on the Arafta Hindi YouTube channel and Prime Video
- Turkey: Aired on Kanal 7; episodes on the official Arafta Dizi YouTube channel
- Indonesia: Streaming on Vidio
- Global: Official YouTube channels in Turkish, Arabic, Urdu, English, and Spanish; licensed in Romania, Hungary, Latvia, and other territories
The Arafta YouTube channel hit 1 million subscribers in just 43 days after launch, a milestone that helped drive international sales for the series.
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Aamir Khan’s Lasting Pull in Turkey
Aamir Khan remains one of the few Indian actors with a steady following in Turkey. His films often deal with social themes and family stories that connect with viewers outside India. For Günenç and Demirci, naming him as their shared Bollywood favourite reflects a broader pattern of Turkish audiences discovering Indian cinema through his work.
The actors’ comments also highlight how Turkish dramas and Indian entertainment are finding common ground. Arafta has built its Indian fanbase through Hindi dubbing and free streaming, while its leads openly welcome the idea of visiting the country. That two-way interest has helped the show travel far beyond its original Turkish audience.
Explore more updates on Turkish dramas, global streaming releases, and your favourite international stars at VvipTimes.
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