Turkish stars on red carpet in Bollywood

Turkish actors Hazal Kaya, Sarp Levendoğlu and Kaan Taşaner walked on the red carpet alongside Bollywood stars during the closing ceremony of the 18th Mumbai Film Festival on Oct. 27. 

The actors, at the festival to represent their new film "Mavi Bisiklet" (Blue Bicycle), have many fans in India thanks to TV series such as "Adını Feriha Koydum" (I Named Her Feriha), "Küçük Ağa" (Young Aga) and "Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne?" (What is Fatmagül's Crime?). 

"We are very proud to represent our country here. Our competition film in the festival, 'Mavi Bisiklet' [Blue Bicycle] is also very important for us," Kaya said in Mumbai. 

"We draw a lot of interest on the streets here. As a Turk I'm proud to be loved here," Levendoğlu said on their warm welcome at the festival. 

Nursen Çetin Köreken, the script writer and producer of "Blue Bicycle," said the film had two screenings at the festival. 

Suha Gezen, a leading Turkish actress in Bollywood, was also present at the ceremony with Turkish stars. 
"I was so proud to walk on the carpet with Turkish artists in India. They are loved here and it makes me very happy," Gezen said.

Turkey was the guest country of the 18th Mumbai Film Festival, with 10 Turkish films shown under the title "Target Country Turkey."  

Turkish Ambassador to India Burak Akçapar, Mumbai Consul General Sabri Ergen, Culture and Tourism Ministry General Director of Cinema Erkin Yılmaz and director Murat Şeker were among the other guests at the festival.