Who Is Eşref Tek? The Real Story Behind the Hit Turkish Series “Eşref Rüya”
The drama-filled TV series Eşref Rüya has taken Turkish television by storm. But one question is on everyone’s mind: Is Eşref Tek a real person? Could this gripping character be based on a true story? Dive into the dark alleys of Istanbul and uncover the dramatic life that inspired the show.
Is Eşref Tek Based on a Real Person?
Yes. The character Eşref Tek is largely inspired by a real individual named Eşref Güler, born in 1980. Raised in the tough neighborhoods of Istanbul, Eşref’s life was marked by tragedy, survival, and a moral code forged on the streets.
He lost his mother in a fire at age 5, and his father disappeared soon after. Placed in a government orphanage, Eşref ran away at just 12 years old, entering a world that would soon pull him into crime.
From Orphan to Street Leader
Struggling to survive, Eşref gathered a group of orphaned kids and formed a street crew with their own set of rules—no harm to the elderly, children, or the poor. His sense of justice, though born in darkness, set him apart.
By 1998, he met Faysal Gani, a Syrian smuggler, which led Eşref into Istanbul’s underground smuggling scene—electronics, cigarettes, and perfumes. By age 22, he was already a well-known gang leader in the city’s backstreets.
The Truth Behind Rüya – A Love Built on Secrets
The character Rüya, too, is inspired by real events. Her real name was Rüya Aksoy, daughter of a musician mother and a police officer father. After losing her father in a violent shootout at age 11, Rüya was recruited during her conservatory years for a secret mission: get close to Eşref and report on his network.
But things got complicated—she fell in love with him. Torn between duty and passion, her story became a tragic love tale.
How Did Eşref and Rüya’s Story End?
Eşref dreamed of a new life with Rüya. But tension within his gang escalated. His trusted man Ali Reşat betrayed him, leading to a major police operation in Beykoz in 2003. Eşref was seriously wounded and disappeared without a trace.
Some say he fled to Macedonia, others claim he was killed and buried in the Black Sea region. Rüya, meanwhile, left Turkey and relocated to Germany. No verified records or social media traces of her exist today.
Is Eşref’s Case Still Open?
According to sources, the Istanbul Police Department still considers the Eşref Güler file classified. Although some cases have expired due to the statute of limitations, the truth remains hidden. This secrecy has only added to the mystery: Is Eşref Tek still alive?
Fact, Fiction, or Legend?
While the Eşref Rüya series is a dramatized version, the emotional and narrative core is rooted in real events. Istanbul’s dark and gritty streets provided the backdrop for this tragic tale of love, betrayal, justice, and survival.
Eşref Tek’s story remains suspended between reality and myth—making him one of the most captivating characters in Turkish television history.
