Barış Baktaş on Acting, Inner Growth, and the Power of Devotion

From finance to fame, Turkish actor Barıs Baktas opens up about finding purpose through performance. Best known for his breakout role in Kan Çiçekleri along with Yağmur Yüksel and currently portraying Börü in Kudüs Fatihi: Selahaddin Eyyubi, Baktas is more than a rising star—he’s an introspective artist with a grounded philosophy and a relentless devotion to his craft.

In this exclusive interview with LO’AMMI Magazine, he shares how acting has transformed his worldview, what he’s learned about discipline and empathy, and why his truest joy comes from simplicity and family.

The Journey Into Acting

Dilay Seckin: What’re the reflections from your childhood years that had a big impact on you becoming who you are today? Can you share your best memory from those days?

Barıs Baktas: My childhood was full and eventful. The best memory I remember from those years was the times when my siblings and I would go to the kitchen window of our house and ask my mother for water whenever we got tired while we were playing in the street…

Dilay Seckin: You studied in the Accounting and Auditing Department at Istanbul Commerce University. How did you transition to acting?

Barıs Baktas: Yes, while I was studying in the Accounting and Auditing Department, after finishing the first year, I was introduced to acting at the insistence of my cousin and those around me, and since I love this profession so much, I’ve continued to strive for it since then and I’ll always continue to do so.

Breakthrough Roles and On-Screen Growth

Dilay Seckin: The TV series Kan Çiçekleri, which was your first leading role, lasted three years. Did you predict that the series would be loved this much when you accepted the project?

Barıs Baktas Yes, Kan Çiçekleri was the first series I took part in. When we started, we thought of 3 seasons and we were confident in everything. Because the story and the world that were created were prepared meticulously. We were expecting its success since everything was progressing meticulously and devotedly, but we received feedback that was above our expectations, which of course motivated us greatly. Thanks again to everyone who contributed… Respect and greetings to our audiences who supported us and didn’t leave us alone.

Dilay Seckin: Your latest project is Kudüs Fatihi: Selahaddin Eyyubi, in which you play the character Börü. Every work and every period affects people differently. With the series looking back on history, have you gained new experiences regarding acting and being on set?

Barıs Baktas: Selahaddin Eyyubi is a very important character in world history and he is among the Muslims most mentioned in the sources because he conquered Kudüs, which is of great value for all religions. Playing his brother is an incredible experience—feeling the same feelings and dedication to the same cause. As an actor, it’s a project that I enjoyed in every detail, including a completely different universe, a completely different image, and the way he spoke and behaved.

The Emotional Discipline of the Craft

Dilay Seckin: What kind of character would you most like to act?

Barıs Baktas: In fact, it’s difficult for an actor to name a specific character because there’s insatiability in acting. An actor wants to taste and live every emotion, every situation, every character, but if I have to name a character, I want to try and experience things that are difficult for my psychology and soul.

Dilay Seckin: Among the things that acting has brought you, what do you feel most satisfied with? What are your awarenesses that, if you weren’t an actor, you wouldn’t have this perspective?

Barıs Baktas: For example, I’m happy to be a calmer and more patient person when I’m tense in traffic :) It taught me to empathize even more. I was an empathetic person before, but acting made me experience this feeling much more than that.

Staying Grounded Behind the Scenes

Dilay Seckin: Everyone is rightly after ‘feeling better’ these days… It’s a tiring set. What do you do to heal yourself, especially mentally, after a busy day?

Barıs Baktas: Actually, let me tell you this: my life motto is to try not to feel bad, but if I get tired, having a nice meal with my wife and friends, having a nice conversation and then sleeping for a while is enough for me. Because it’s necessary to rest the mind first, not the body. A person should be where he or she finds peace…

Life Beyond the Camera

Dilay Seckin: Another thing that the digital age and popular culture brought to our lives was social media. What does social media mean to you? How is your distance from social media?

Barıs Baktas: Even though I seem to be active on social media, it’s not a place I like very much. Sometimes I think to myself that if I were not an actor, I probably wouldn’t use social media, but it’s important to use it because it contains so many useful things. We learn a lot of innovations from there.

Dilay Seckin: Do you have any characteristic features that you can define as your personal boundaries and never compromise?

Barıs Baktas: Disrespect and impudence in every situation.

Dilay Seckin: Besides your acting, you’re also interested in music. Will we be able to see you professionally in this field as well?

Barıs Baktas: Unfortunately, I never plan on making music professionally. I said before, making music is like eating dessert for me, acting is like drinking water. I mean, nobody can live without drinking water and eating food, but everybody can live without eating dessert. It’s just that sometimes you want to eat dessert, you want to break your diet, for example… That’s why music is just a hobby that I love very much.

Dilay Seckin: How is your relationship with sports? Do you do any sports regularly?

Barıs Baktas: I used to do sports regularly before, but I haven’t been able to make time for it since I’ve been working 6 days a week with intense set hours for the last 3 years. Unfortunately, I just try to pay attention to my diet and do cardio sometimes, but I can say that I’ve started working out again now.

Dilay Seckin: Do you follow fashion? How would you define your style?

Barıs Baktas: I prefer plain things, meaning things that don’t draw attention, don’t have any patterns, and are dark in color :)

Dilay Seckin: You’ll be a father very soon. How can you describe this feeling?

Barıs Baktas: It’s a completely different feeling that can’t be described… I still don’t understand what I feel and I’m only in a state where I’m dreaming about the future with great excitement. I’ll probably understand what fatherhood is when I hold my child in my arms in health.

A Philosophy of Strength and Faith

Dilay Seckin: Where and what are you usually doing when you say ‘This is living’?

Barıs Baktas: If the whole family sits at the same table and eats; ‘This is living’… What more could a person want? If all your loved ones are with you, that’s the most beautiful moment :)

Dilay Seckin: What principles shape your philosophy of life?

Barıs Baktas:

• If you don’t have courage, you’re doomed to lose.

• One day, a door will open that will make you thank ALLAH for all the other doors that closed.

• Even if it results in death, never give up on what you know is right.

• Don’t look back, focus ahead.

• Don’t fall. If you fall, get back up. If you get back up, be strong.

Looking Back - and Forward

Dilay Seckin: I want you to say something when you read this interview in the future…

Barıs Baktas: Yes, I’ll say ‘It finally happened and I’m glad I did my first magazine work’ for the shoot that dear Zisan wanted—who’s been saying ‘Let’s do a magazine cover work’ every time since the day we met—to me, who hasn’t wanted many magazine works for a few years and who’s considered magazine events distant to me :)

Team Credits:

Creative Director: Zişan Seçkin

Interviewer: Dilay Seçkin

Photography: Rahmi Ark

Styling Team: Mustafa Çolak & Sedat Uyanık

Make-up: Tuğba Babacan

Hair Styling: Sabit Akkaya & Ömer Bağsız

Management: Ayça Irgan Menajerlik

Press Advising: İpek Türer Sayan

Location: The Galata Istanbul Hotel – MGallery