Baba (The Father): A Powerful Tale of Family, Fortune, and the Fragile Line Between Love and Control
When the Turkish drama Baba (meaning “Father”) premiered on Show TV in February 2022, it immediately struck a chord with audiences across the globe. Starring the legendary Haluk Bilginer and the dynamic Tolga Sarıtaş, the series dives deep into one of the most timeless conflicts of all — the collision between family, morality, and the corrupting allure of sudden wealth.
Baba is not just another Turkish family drama; it’s a haunting study of pride, legacy, and the limits of love.
From Humility to Power — and the Price That Comes With It
At the center of the story is the Saruhanli family, a conservative household rooted in modesty and tradition in a small town near İzmir.
Their lives, structured by old values and the unwavering authority of their patriarch Emin Saruhanli, take a shocking turn when fate delivers them an unexpected fortune.
After the death of Emin’s estranged brother — one of Turkey’s wealthiest men — the Saruhanlis suddenly inherit an empire and move from their quiet village to the grandeur of Istanbul’s elite world.
What begins as a dream of prosperity soon unravels into chaos.
Wealth, ambition, and power become cracks in the once-solid foundation of family unity.
The Saruhanlis must now fight not just for survival, but for their very identity.
The Faces Behind the Family
Emin Saruhanli (Haluk Bilginer)
The proud, authoritarian father whose rules once kept his family together now threaten to tear it apart. His battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s adds tragic depth, showing a man losing control of both his world and his mind. Bilginer’s restrained yet powerful performance turns Emin into one of Turkish television’s most unforgettable patriarchs.
Kadir Saruhanli (Tolga Sarıtaş)
Recently released from prison, Kadir is both the family’s black sheep and its moral core. His clashes with Emin expose generational divides — tradition versus change, obedience versus freedom. Tolga Sarıtaş brings Kadir to life with fierce intensity, portraying a man torn between rebellion and responsibility.
Büşra Saruhanli (Özge Yağız)
Emin’s daughter and the emotional heart of the show. Initially portrayed as naive and sheltered, Büşra grows into a resilient, independent woman whose emotional journey captivates the audience. Her complex relationship with İlhan Karaçam becomes one of Baba’s most compelling storylines.
İlhan Karaçam (Hakan Kurtaş)
Ambitious, conflicted, and dangerously charming — İlhan begins as a rival but becomes deeply entangled in the Saruhanlis’ fate. His chemistry with Büşra brings emotional balance to the series, showing how love and ambition often blur into one another.
Themes That Define Baba
Family vs. Ambition
At its heart, Baba examines what happens when family loyalty collides with personal ambition. Every character must choose between what they love and what they desire.
The Corruption of Wealth
The series portrays money as both salvation and poison — a force that exposes the hidden cracks in every relationship.
Tradition vs. Modernity
Through Emin and Kadir, Baba captures Turkey’s generational divide — the fading world of old values facing a new, unrestrained reality.
Redemption and Forgiveness
Kadir’s fight to rebuild his life after prison mirrors the family’s struggle to rebuild their moral compass amid chaos.
Critical Response: Praise and Polarization
Upon release, Baba earned widespread praise for its strong performances, emotional writing, and cinematic direction.
Audiences were particularly moved by Haluk Bilginer’s portrayal of a man torn between authority and vulnerability, and Tolga Sarıtaş’s fiery energy as Kadir.
The chemistry between Hakan Kurtaş and Özge Yağız was celebrated as a refreshing addition to the story’s darker tones.
However, the second season received mixed reviews.
Many fans felt the story lost its focus with uneven pacing and repetitive conflicts, though the acting and character arcs continued to shine.
Despite its flaws, Baba maintained a devoted fanbase, drawn to its emotional honesty and bold themes.
Why Baba Is Worth Watching
If you’re drawn to character-driven dramas that explore love, loss, and power through the lens of family, Baba is a must-watch.
It’s a story of how success can divide, power can corrupt, and love can survive even in ruin.
With its gripping performances, visual grandeur, and emotional depth, Baba stands out as one of the most thought-provoking Turkish dramas of recent years.
It doesn’t just entertain — it makes you ask yourself:
“What would you sacrifice to protect your family… and what would you lose in the process?”
