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Tell us about yourself \u2013 your family, friends, your school and college life? How did your first break in modelling come about? What was your first campaign? Over the years you\u2019ve become synonymous with the super-hit series Dirili<\/b><\/span>\u015f<\/b><\/span> Ertu<\/b><\/span>\u011f<\/b><\/span>rul \u2013 how did your casting as Turgut come about? How do you handle the worldwide fame you\u2019ve garnered? Are you still able to enjoy the simple things in life? Is there a next visit in the pipeline? What next can fans look forward to from you? Three words that best describe you? Favourite restaurant or cuisine? The one thing you cannot live without? A book you would recommend? A piece of advice that changed your life? Favourite luxury brand or item you own? Ideal holiday destination? Most inspirational person you know? INTERVIEW: YUSRA ASKARI \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_1_26-1-683x1024.jpg\")
O<\/span>n the heels of successful careers in professional basketball and modelling, 1982 born Cengiz Co<\/span>\u015f<\/span>kun\u2019s big television debut in 2005 set the ball rolling on his marvellous innings as an actor. Today Cengiz is acclaimed world over for his role as Turgut Alp, in Dirili<\/span>\u015f<\/span>: Ertu<\/span>\u011f<\/span>rul \u2013 the popular historical series that continues to captivate audiences world over even after curtains have drawn on its half-a-decade long run.
<\/span>An enactment now synonymous with him, Cengiz\u2019s onscreen persona as Turgut, the axe-wielding warrior with a heart, for 150 episodes over five seasons holds true to the meaning of his name \u2013 strong.
<\/span>Also well recognized for his performance as Giovanni Giustiniani in the action film <\/span>Fetih 1453<\/span>, Co<\/span>\u015f<\/span>kun has a large global fan base of all age groups, with a following of over 2. 5 million on Instagram alone. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>Cengiz Co<\/b><\/span>\u015f<\/b><\/span>kun: <\/b><\/span>I come from an economically not so well-off family with two children \u2013 my mother is a housewife and my father a machine technician. Due to my parent\u2019s decision pertaining to the basketball team I played on, in order to pursue my dream of becoming a national level player I decided to move out at the age of 13 and began living in the athlete\u2019s lodgings of the team I represented. From then to now, I have continued to live life on my own terms away from family. I was a successful student and graduated from Marmara University with a degree in Sports Coaching Education in 2008.
<\/span>As a student I gave my all to my passion for basketball. I started playing in the first years of secondary school before going on to represent \u00dclkerspor for seven years, following which I transferred to Erdemir Ere<\/span>\u011f<\/span>li Spor for two years and then went on to spend a year with Bal\u0131kesir DS<\/span>\u0130 <\/span>Spor, before unfortunately quitting basketball due to health concerns. I decided to live in line with the opportunities that came my way \u2013 at first modelling and then acting, which is my current profession.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_1_38-1-683x1024.jpg\")
You are a sports graduate \u2013 do you still make time to hit the track or field amidst your busy schedule?
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> Sports have, are, and will always be a huge and integral part of my life \u2013 as important to me as breathing, eating, and drinking water. It is my indispensable physical, mental and spiritual healer. I dedicate at least two hours, five days a week to pursuing my passion.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> My modelling career began in 2002 after winning the title at the competition for the Best Model of Turkey. I took on modelling assignments both at home and abroad. My first ever campaign was as the brand ambassador of a large men\u2019s clothing company in Turkey, which lasted a few years.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_1_55-1-683x1024.jpg\")
Having begun your career as a model, what made for your transition to acting?
<\/b><\/span>CC: <\/b><\/span>A director and producer who saw me on a campaign billboard of another menswear company I am still endorsing, contacted me to set up a meeting to offer me a leading role in a project. I accepted and started training with <\/span>\u015e<\/span>ahika Tekand whose acting workshops I joined to prepare for my big break. My acting adventure started in 2005 with my big debut in the television series <\/span>R\u00fczgarli Bah\u00e7e<\/span> [Windy Garden]. And seven years later in 2012, I made my big-screen debut with the film <\/span>Fetih 1453<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> To begin with, ahead of the start of the filming of the first season, the producer of Dirili<\/span>\u015f<\/span> Ertu<\/span>\u011f<\/span>rul approached me with an offer to essay the role of the Byzantine commander Titus. I, however, declined as I didn\u2019t want to play the character. After that they offered me the role of Turgut Alp. One read of the characterization and I could see myself as Turgut \u2013 I loved the character and knew I would enjoy essaying the role. I accepted the offer and adopted the character \u2013 this was 2014, there has since been no looking back. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_1_69-1-683x1024.jpg\")
How did you make the role of Turgut your own?
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> I made the role of Turgut my own by putting my soul, love, passion and faith into it and of course by working very, very hard and giving it my absolute best.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> My biggest motivation is the fact that I have fans from all over the world who not only appreciate my work and my acting but also show their love by opening their hearts to me. I feel very lucky, happy and humbled to experience such success, love and attention, and I sincerely thank and express my gratitude to all my fans for this.
<\/span>As I belong to a family that is not economically strong, I\u2019ve always known how to enjoy the little things in life. I\u2019ve never forgotten where I come from and the difficulties I went through. Fame, success, money may have changed my status and my standard of living, but it never changed the little things I enjoyed. I think this is the source of happiness and I think it is necessary to live with awareness of it.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_2_03-1-683x1024.jpg\")
Tell us about your first visit to Pakistan \u2013 was it in any way different to what you had anticipated before you arrived?
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> Well acquainted with the popularity of Dirilis: Ertugrul in Pakistan, even before our arrival I anticipated a great interest in our visit. But when we touched down in Pakistan, we were met with love beyond any expectations. It was simply surreal and very impressive \u2013 truly an amazing experience. I want to say thank you to our fans in Pakistan who we love very much. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_4_02-1-683x1024.jpg\")
Did you feel at home in Pakistan and what is it that you most enjoyed on your visit?
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> I was welcomed to Pakistan with unmatched sincerity, love and warmth \u2013 I never once felt like a visitor and was really at home in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. It was a very enjoyable visit \u2013 one I will always cherish and hold close to my heart. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>CC:<\/b><\/span> Yes, it could be soon \u2013 very soon.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/span>CC: <\/b><\/span>Surprise! You will have to wait and watch. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_5_02-1-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/b>UNPLUGGED WITH\u00a0<\/span>CENGIZ CO\u015eKUN<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b>Compassion. Strength. Faith.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Undoubtedly Italian, and of course Turkish cuisine.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Spirit!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_2_48-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Words of wisdom or favourite quote?
<\/b>Your thoughts are what your life is. If you want to change your life, first change your thoughts \u2013 your thoughts are your reality.<\/p>\n
<\/b>\u2018Positive Words, Powerful Results: Simple Ways to Honor, Affirm, and Celebrate Life\u2019 by Hal Urban.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Stay in the moment. Think positive.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Patek Philippe and Rolex.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Africa.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_2_40-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Favourite designers?
<\/b>Dolce & Gabbana; Balmain.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Ali Acun Il\u0131cal\u0131 \u2013 the Turkish broadcaster, entrepreneur, international TV producer and businessman.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/CENGIZ_COSKUN_LOOK_3_29-1-683x1024.jpg\")
Your most memorable experience?
<\/b>My participation in the reality show Survivor:<\/span> \u00dcnl\u00fcler vs. G\u00f6n\u00fcll\u00fcler 3<\/span> (2013). I was eliminated on the 94th day.<\/p>\n
PHOTOGRAPHER: CEM TALU
STYLING: ECEM EMIR, GIZEM MAVIS
HAIR & MAKE-UP: OSMAN NURI BURUK
DESIGNER: SARFRAZ AKBAR
BRAND: SARTORIA DI AMBASSADOR<\/p>\n![\"ok](\"https:\/\/okpakistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Post-Bottom-Logo-e1561537977949.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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