Turkish icon Burak Özçivit on vibing with Dubai's Burj Khalifa in the 'city of bold contrasts'

Let’s get one thing straight: Burak Özçivit is not just another ridiculously good-looking Turkish man with global fame and period-drama pedigree. He’s the kind of star who can talk about stillness, sci-fi, and seagulls at sunrise — all in the same conversation — and somehow make it sound all compelling.

In our exclusive interview, the Turkish megastar who is now a part of the Turkish Airlines promotional film, who has led blockbuster series like Kuruluş: Osman and Çalıkuşu, brought his signature mix of depth and charm. And yes, we had some fun. Because when you’re chatting to a man who’s conquered hearts from the Middle East to South America, you can’t not ask what version of him Dubai would vibe with.

"Dubai is a city of bold contrasts — modern, dynamic, but deeply respectful of tradition," he said over e-mail. "I think they’d enjoy the romantic hero with a strong moral compass — the kind of character who’s as comfortable in armor as he is at a rooftop dinner in the Burj Khalifa."

In other words: the man is giving sword and soft boy, and we’re absolutely here for it.

Burak has been known to keep things grounded despite his intercontinental stardom, but he admits there was a moment when it all clicked — when he knew he wasn’t just a Turkish icon, but a global one.

"I think the moment came when I was in Qatar and fans from different countries — Morocco, Indonesia, and even Chile — recognized me at the airport. That feeling of crossing borders through art is surreal. Turkish Airlines has a big part in that too — they fly our stories farther than we ever could alone. It’s a beautiful partnership between the screen and the sky."

We then asked the question every fan would secretly want answered: what role would really throw your followers off?

His answer? A genre twist we never saw coming.

"I’d actually love to explore a sci-fi epic — imagine a time-traveling Ottoman prince who ends up in a futuristic Istanbul ruled by AI and drones, but with the Kız Kulesi still standing tall… It would surprise people, but still stay rooted in our storytelling tradition."

Burak in space armor, riding a drone-horse across a cyberpunk skyline? Honestly, take our money.

Of course, he’s not just about concept — he’s about emotion. Ask Burak about the one scene in his career he’d frame in his living room, and he doesn’t pick a fight scene or a romantic monologue. He picks silence.

"There’s a scene where I’m completely silent — just standing still, eyes full of emotion, after a turning point in the story. It’s not about action or drama, but the quiet intensity of that moment. I think those are the most powerful scenes — where a single frame says everything without needing words. That kind of image stays with you, and if I had to frame one, it would be that: pure feeling, captured in stillness."

That poetic sensibility showed up in full force during his recent shoot — a dawn scene on the Bosphorus, with Istanbul’s iconic Kız Kulesi glowing in the first light. No CGI. No drama. Just seagulls, still water, and a man in awe.

"One unforgettable moment was during a sunrise scene at the Kız Kulesi. The light was golden, the Bosphorus was completely still, and all you could hear was the call of seagulls. As the camera panned, I stood on the boat approaching the tower, and in that silence, I felt the entire weight of Istanbul’s past — its love stories, legends, and soul — wash over me. That’s when I thought, ‘This is more than a shoot; this is history.’"

We don’t know what’s more cinematic — the scene or the way he describes it.

Burak Özçivit might be many things: warrior, lover, dreamer, future sci-fi sultan. But at his core, he’s a storyteller.