The Georgian dubbing adds another layer of intimacy. Unlike voice-over common in some post-Soviet countries, Georgia has largely embraced full dubbing for these series. Professional actors match the emotional intensity of the original performances, transforming the dialogue into natural, idiomatic Georgian. Slang, proverbs, and local references are occasionally inserted, making the characters feel like they could live in Batumi or Gori. Behind the scenes, a cottage industry has flourished. Dubbing studios such as Adrinol , Cinema Tone , and Georgian Postproduction have grown from small operations to full-fledged businesses employing dozens of actors, sound engineers, translators, and lip-sync technicians.
Translators face a unique challenge: preserving the poetic, sometimes melodramatic Turkish dialogue while making it sound spontaneous in Georgian. “Turkish is rich in idioms about fate, blood, and fire,” says Mariam, a translator who has worked on over 20 series. “Georgian has its own poetic soul. You can’t translate literally — you have to find the emotional equivalent.” turquli serialebi qartulad natargmni
Voice actors, too, have become celebrities. Viewers recognize their voices across different series and discuss their performances on social media. Some actors voice multiple characters in the same show, a feat requiring impressive vocal range. Fans create compilation videos of the most dramatic dubbing moments on YouTube, celebrating a “perfect scream” or “heartbreaking whisper.” Georgian broadcasters are not dubbing Turkish series out of cultural altruism. The numbers speak for themselves. A hit Turkish drama regularly captures a 40-50% audience share in its time slot, dwarfing local productions and Western imports. Advertising slots during these shows command premium prices, with Georgian branches of international brands and local businesses eager to reach captive viewers. The Georgian dubbing adds another layer of intimacy
“When I watch a Turkish drama in Georgian,” says Nino, a 52-year-old schoolteacher from Kutaisi, “I don’t feel like I’m watching another country’s story. The mother-in-law problems, the weddings, the betrayals — it could be my street, my neighbor.” Translators face a unique challenge: preserving the poetic,
Fashion trends, too, have been affected. Long coats, silk headscarves worn loosely, and men’s beards styled like Turkish leading men have appeared in Georgian streets. Coffee culture — specifically Turkish coffee — has seen a modest revival, thanks to scenes of characters drinking it during pivotal moments. Not everyone celebrates the trend. Some Georgian intellectuals express concern about cultural dependency. “We are outsourcing our imagination,” one film director told a local newspaper. “Young Georgians know the streets of Istanbul better than the alleys of Tbilisi’s old town.”