ALBAWABA - Father of teen actress Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi files criminal complaint over alleged unauthorized work and relationship claims
A legal dispute involving 17-year-old actress Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi, known for portraying Melek in NOW TV's drama "Yeraltı," has become one of the most talked-about entertainment stories in Türkiye after her father filed a criminal complaint with the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to Turkish entertainment journalist Birsen Altuntaş, Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi's father, Ünal Çiftçi, alleged that his underage daughter had been employed in television projects without his consent and claimed she was involved in a relationship with her "Yeraltı" co-star Hakan Çelebi, who is reportedly around ten years older than her.
Ünal Çiftçi, who has worked in the Turkish television and film industry for many years in catering and casting services and is also a pastry chef by profession, said he decided to take legal action after reviewing WhatsApp messages belonging to his daughter.
In his statement to prosecutors, he said he became aware of what he described as a romantic relationship between his daughter and Hakan Çelebi while they were working together on the series. He further alleged that his daughter had been represented by OnTalent Management without his approval, despite being a minor.
"My daughter is 17 years old. She works as an actress under OnTalent Management. I saw through her WhatsApp messages that she was in a relationship with a man about ten years older than her on the set where she works, and I was disturbed by this situation," Ünal Çiftçi reportedly stated in his complaint.
He also explained that although divorce proceedings between himself and his wife, Kader Çiftçi, are ongoing, he believes parental consent should have been obtained before their daughter participated in acting projects.
For that reason, Ünal Çiftçi filed a criminal complaint against OnTalent Management owner Gözde Yılmaz, alleging that the agency did not secure his approval for his daughter's professional activities. He also included actor Hakan Çelebi in the complaint because of the alleged relationship.
As of now, no charges have been announced, and the filing of a criminal complaint does not establish wrongdoing. Turkish authorities have not publicly disclosed whether a formal investigation has been opened or whether prosecutors have decided to pursue the allegations. Likewise, OnTalent Management, Gözde Yılmaz, Hakan Çelebi, and Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi have not publicly responded to the claims at the time of writing.
The case has attracted widespread attention because Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi is one of the country's best-known young actresses. Born in 2009, she began acting as a child and has appeared in numerous television productions, including Elif, Karadayı, Kırgın Çiçekler, Gülümse Kaderine, Dönence, İnci Taneleri, and Yeraltı, where she currently portrays Melek. She is represented by OnTalent Management and studies at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts High School's Theatre Department.
The allegations also follow months of public speculation surrounding Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi and Hakan Çelebi after the pair were seen together outside the set and shared photographs that fueled relationship rumors among fans. Neither actor had officially confirmed the nature of their relationship before the legal complaint became public.
The matter now rests with the prosecutor's office, which will determine whether any further legal action will be taken after reviewing the complaint.
