ALBAWABA - Sıla Türkoğlu denies Faruk Turgut salary claims over series exit.
A fresh controversy has erupted in the Turkish television industry after actress Sıla Türkoğlu publicly responded to comments made by veteran producer Faruk Turgut about her departure from the hit series Kızılcık Şerbeti (Cranberry Sorbet).
The dispute began after Turgut, the founder of Gold Film, appeared on an interview program hosted by journalist İzzet Çapa. The interviewer asked him about several actors he had worked with over the years, including Can Yaman and Sıla Türkoğlu.
Speaking about Türkoğlu, Turgut claimed that the actress decided to leave Kızılcık Şerbeti because she believed her salary was too low. His remarks quickly spread across Turkish media and social media platforms, sparking debate among fans of the popular series.
It did not take long for Türkoğlu's representatives to respond.
The actress's management agency strongly denied the claims in an official statement.
"We followed with sadness and surprise the unfounded allegations made by producer Faruk Turgut against our actress Sıla Türkoğlu," the statement read.
The agency insisted that financial reasons had never been behind Türkoğlu's decision to leave the series.
"Contrary to what has been claimed, our actress's departure from the Kızılcık Şerbeti project was never financially motivated. It was entirely her own decision, based on her professional principles and her desire to work in a peaceful environment."
The statement also referred to comments Turgut himself had made when Türkoğlu originally left the production.
The agency stated that both sides had handled the separation respectfully at the time, expressing mutual appreciation. They argued that the producer's recent comments contradicted the tone of the earlier public statements.
Türkoğlu's representatives also addressed criticism surrounding the actress's next television project.
After leaving Kızılcık Şerbeti, she joined another series that ended after only six episodes. Despite its short run, the agency said the actress had no regrets.
They explained that being part of a project where she felt comfortable and appreciated was more important than financial considerations or the length of the series.
"Although the project lasted only six episodes, being part of a production where she felt she belonged and worked in a peaceful environment was more valuable to her than anything else," the statement said.
The agency emphasized that Türkoğlu remains grateful for the opportunities Kızılcık Şerbeti brought to her career but considers that chapter closed.
"We appreciate the place this project holds in our actress's career and everything it contributed. However, it is now simply part of her professional past."
The statement concluded with a firm request for the controversy to end.
"We absolutely do not accept our actress's name continuing to be mentioned in connection with these unfounded allegations."
The Original Departure
Sıla Türkoğlu portrayed Doğa Korkmaz in Kızılcık Şerbeti, one of Show TV's biggest drama series and one of the highest-rated productions in Türkiye.
Her departure from the series in 2023 generated enormous public attention. At the time, Turkish media reported disagreements behind the scenes, while both the production company and the actress released statements thanking one another, leaving the exact reasons for the split unclear.
Following her exit, Türkoğlu starred in another television project before continuing with new career opportunities.
Faruk Turgut's recent interview has now reopened discussion about that period, leading to strong reactions not only from Türkoğlu but also from actor Can Yaman, who separately criticized the producer over comments made during the same interview.
The latest exchange has become one of the most discussed entertainment stories in Turkish media, with fans continuing to debate the circumstances surrounding Türkoğlu's departure from one of Türkiye's most successful television dramas.
