I received so many offers, I wish I could go on stage.

Cansu Topcu

Created: October 12, 2025 08:21

◊ What phase of your life are you in?

It's both peaceful, joyful, and a bit wise. It's a time when I can better judge things. The things I thought at 20 or 30 are very different from the things I think now. Even my perspective on the world has changed. I'm more understanding now, and I can accept some things as natural. So, I'm not so rigid anymore. Thankfully, I'm very happy with my life.

◊ What were you looking at closely?

For example, I used to dislike someone's pants when I saw them on the street, or criticize their hairstyle or color. Now it seems normal to me. I'd say, "Well done, they're wearing colorful clothes regardless of their age." I'm more tolerant of others, and that makes me happy.

◊ What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you look at Hülya Darcan , a young woman who has just started her career?

I started this job when I was 16. For me, going to the set, making a film , and acting were all like a game. It took me a while to realize how serious the job was. By the time I did, I was thinking more maturely, like a 35- or 40-year-old woman.

◊ You shot 75 films in 4 years. How did you achieve this?

"Yes, I know I went to three sets in one day. Is that a big deal? Absolutely not. But in those years, everyone was in the cinema. First of all, we had that wonderful 'Four Leaf Clover.' They say 350 films are made a year. Of those 350, I only shot 15. 15 films a year is an incredible amount. On one set, I played a village girl, with henna on my hands. I'd leave and go to the next set, playing a socialite. This time, I was applying nail polish over the henna. It was very difficult. But cinema is a beautiful profession. It gets to you. You never think about the downsides."

◊ You truly love your profession. Even as you talk about it, your eyes fill with tears.

Yes. Were we working like crazy and making money? No. The reason we weren't making money was because the producer wouldn't pay. There weren't any agents to represent you back then. The only actor with an agent was Cüneyt Arkın. He was a terrific guy. When you don't have an agent, the producer is quick to convince you. Many people have money left in the cinema. Of course, there were some very honest producers, too.

MY WIFE DID NOT WANT ME TO WORK, I ACCEPT THIS

◊ There was a 17-year period when you weren't acting. Do you wish you had continued acting during that period? Do you have any regrets?

- I have many "if onlys," but not for that period. Because I had children. Raising them, taking care of the house, being a housewife... So, you have two children, but there's also an older child at home: your husband. All husbands are like that to me. In short, 17 years flew by. I was so hungry for cinema.

◊ You missed cinema back then, didn't you?

- Very... But I knew I couldn't make movies anymore. Because my wife didn't want it. Everyone knows that. I'd accepted it; it was over in my head. I was just saying, "I'll raise my kids."

◊ Currently, from this perspective, women are less...

I didn't say career. Family was very important to me. I had a wonderful family even before marriage. I always lived with love, respect, and joy. I wanted to create that kind of family again after marriage. Fame, fame, money, and luxury are all temporary. Family is what remains. All of that ends, but your family is always there. Before marriage, I received many offers to perform. My voice wasn't bad; it was better than most performing artists back then. I wish I had. I would have been financially very strong. But I always said, "I'm a movie actor." My husband also started performing. The sex craze started, and everyone was unemployed... I also received offers to perform while I was married. Tanju used to say, "One is enough for a house." That's why I focused on family. And I did really well.

I WILL PLAY ANYTHING AS LONG AS IT'S NOT FOR A Madam

◊ What kind of role would you greenlight for cinema right now?

There's a stereotype in both cinema and television. They force us all into a single mold. There aren't any producers who can pull off a twist. They don't dare. I can't accept it either. For example, I really like Binnur Kaya. I send her my love from here. She played comedies for years. But in "Red Room," she appeared in such a role... That's what I'm trying to explain. Otherwise, I don't have a choice like, "I want to play this role." I'll do anything. As long as it doesn't happen to my wife! I played that role, and that's enough for me.

◊ You mentioned Four Leaf Clover. If you had continued to be active in cinema, would you have been one of them?

"Maybe not, but I could have been a name that came after them. If I'd been smart and chosen my projects with careful consideration, it could have been. Filmmaking is such a beautiful profession that there's no age limit. If you're healthy, sane, able to see, and able to walk, you can make films at 100. But you have to embrace it as a profession, love it, and respect it deeply."

NEW GENERATION PLAYERS ARE VERY TALENTED

◊ Do you find the new generation of players successful?

"They're incredibly talented kids. I'm astonished. And they all have beautiful voices. They speak at least one language. Most of them are talented and take their work very seriously."

◊ Are there any projects you are currently discussing?

I received three offers this year. I'm negotiating with one of them now.

◊ If a movie was made about your life, who would play you?

"I never thought about it. I'm not a person who dreams much. For example, when I was getting married, Zuhal Yorgancıoğlu made my wedding dress. He asked, "What kind of wedding dress do you want?" I said, "I don't know." Because I had no dreams...

◊ Your father was a tightrope walker. If your life were a movie, your experiences with your father would be remarkable.

- Yes. The new generation doesn't know what a tightrope walker is.

◊ How did your father discover this profession?

One day, while walking around, he sees a place called "Ambassador's Shop" and enters. He's stunned when he sees an acrobat coming out. "I want to be an acrobat," he says, but they refuse. He doesn't give up, insisting on going back and forth. Finally, they accept him. He used to do such dangerous things. For example, he'd put his feet in a tin can and walk on a wire. Isn't that extraordinary? He loved his job so much. And even though this man did such a dangerous job, he didn't die from it. He died in a simple traffic accident. I think that's the saddest part...

I'm a mother with rules

◊ What kind of a mother, what kind of a grandmother are you?

I love my grandchildren very much. But if you ask, "Your child or your grandchild?", first the child, then the grandchild. As a mother, I wasn't comfortable.

◊ Were you dominant?

I had rules. For example, I never let my kids eat hamburgers or lahmacun. I cooked wonderful meals at home. I was a mother with rules and principles.

◊ Are your daughters a mother like you?

- Yes. They are both very good mothers.

◊ Would you act in a project with Ms. Bergüzar?

- It may be, but I don't think it's very interesting for the audience.

◊ Do you consult each other when choosing a project?

"I get his opinions from time to time because I don't know the new generation. Thankfully, he's very helpful on those matters."

I LOVE MY LINES

◊ Let's talk about your beauty secrets... Do you have any skincare routines?

- I don't have any beauty secrets. I live a very simple life. I don't have any plastic surgery.

◊ Are you against plastic surgery?

I used to get angry because so many young people get it done. Now I don't mind it. I don't. I love my natural appearance, my lines, my sagging, my sagging. The only thing I don't like are the lines on my forehead. I don't know if I'd get Botox for them. But then, you wouldn't be able to make facial expressions. My routine is to drink lemon water as soon as I wake up in the morning. I also use moisturizer because my skin is very dry, and that's it.