TV shows from Turkey and Azerbaijan are facing a strict, unofficial ban on Indian OTT platforms, as both countries have shown support for Pakistan amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with India. In response, several prominent Indian streaming services have quietly removed top shows from these two nations.
Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Indian media outlets called for a complete prohibition of Pakistani actors, dramas, and films. Given the strained geopolitical relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of which expressed support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, many online streaming platforms have discreetly removed content originating from these countries.
Furthermore, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued statements urging a boycott of filming in Turkey and the exclusion of Turkish artists from Indian projects. These actions are largely motivated by Turkey’s continued support of Pakistan. FWICE also formally requested that streaming platforms remove Turkish content from their libraries.
ZEE5 is among the first Indian OTT platforms to silently remove popular Turkish titles such as Masum, Feriha, and Ertugrul. Other shows removed include Relationship Status: It’s Complicated, Golden Boy, and Love Is in the Air.
The Government of India has yet to release any official statement or directive regarding a ban on Turkish content. However, ZEE5 appears to have recognised the seriousness of the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan and acted preemptively without waiting for a public announcement.
According to some online reports, Amazon’s MX Player has not yet removed its popular Turkish titles, as there has been no formal directive from the government. Nevertheless, the platform is reportedly no longer commissioning new Turkish content. Stay tuned for further updates.