Approach Bollywood Recommends: To Love, To Lose – A Soulful Turkish Netflix Series That Illuminates the Spiritual Essence of Love, Loss, and Kindness
By Sonu Tyagi Founder, Approach Entertainment & Go Spiritual
In the quiet moments of reflection, we often discover that the deepest lessons of the heart come wrapped in challenges, separation, and unexpected tenderness. Netflix’s new Turkish series To Love, To Lose (original title: Ayrılık da Sevdaya Dahil), which premiered on January 15, 2026, captures this truth with remarkable emotional grace. As the founder of Approach Entertainment and Go Spiritual, I am profoundly touched by this 8-episode romantic drama, which weaves a story of star-crossed love, family loyalty, moral dilemmas, and the redemptive power of kindness and compassion.
The series follows Afife, a resilient screenwriter and restaurant owner fighting to save her family’s beloved eatery from overwhelming debt. When Kemal, the stoic and duty-bound enforcer for a powerful loan shark family, arrives to collect what is owed, their paths cross in a clash of worlds. What begins as tension and obligation slowly blossoms into a transformative romance that challenges both to confront their deepest values, loyalties, and the true meaning of virtue. Through their journey, we see how love can emerge from loss, teaching forgiveness, empathy, and the beauty of human connection even in the face of adversity.
The plot is layered and heartfelt, blending high emotional stakes with realistic character growth. It explores opposites attracting not as mere trope but as a catalyst for personal awakening—Afife’s creative spirit and determination meeting Kemal’s guarded strength and inner conflict. The narrative builds gently, revealing family secrets, sacrifices, and quiet moments of hope, culminating in a bittersweet resolution that lingers in the soul.
The screenplay, crafted under the visionary guidance of creator Yavuz Turgul and written by Kurtcebe Turgul and Nilgün Öneş, with direction by Selim Demirdelen and Kurtcebe Turgul, shines with subtlety and authenticity. It avoids exaggerated melodrama, instead delivering nuanced emotional truths through natural, impactful writing.
The actors bring extraordinary depth and authenticity to their roles. İbrahim Çelikkol delivers a magnetic performance as Kemal, conveying quiet intensity, inner turmoil, and evolving vulnerability with powerful restraint—his portrayal makes the character’s journey from enforcer to someone capable of profound love deeply moving. Emine Meyrem embodies Afife with grace, resilience, and heartfelt passion, making her struggles and triumphs feel intimately real. Their chemistry, though slow-burning, grows into something genuine and electric. The supporting ensemble—including Yasemin Kay Allen, Tarık Papuççuoğlu, Deniz Türkali, Görkem Sevindik, and others—adds rich layers, grounding every family dynamic in emotional truth.
Viewer engagement remains compelling throughout the approximately 45-50 minute episodes. The series draws you in with its emotional intensity, relatable conflicts, warm human moments, and gripping revelations, balancing melancholy with hope and keeping you invested in the characters’ paths.
At its core, the spiritual love message resonates most deeply with me: love often arrives through loss and hardship, serving as a teacher of kindness in adversity, forgiveness amid pain, and the interconnectedness of all souls. Acts of compassion become pathways to healing and growth, reminding us that true virtue and connection reveal themselves in vulnerability. This is storytelling that nourishes the spirit, echoing timeless truths about empathy, redemption, and the transformative power of the heart.
The characters are complex, flawed, and profoundly human—Afife’s unwavering determination inspires, Kemal’s guarded heart opens beautifully, and every supporting figure feels essential, contributing to a rich tapestry of family, loyalty, and personal evolution.
The locations in Turkey provide an authentic, intimate backdrop—cozy family restaurants, bustling streets, and quiet personal spaces that root the story in cultural warmth and visual beauty, enhancing the emotional atmosphere.
Dialogues are poignant, elegant, and soul-stirring—conveying deep emotions with subtlety and power, perfectly complemented by an evocative soundtrack that amplifies the series’ melancholic yet uplifting tone.
To Love, To Lose is a warm, memorable, and spiritually enriching watch that stands out for its emotional maturity, emphasis on kindness as true strength, and celebration of love’s redemptive journey. With its strong performances, thoughtful storytelling, and uplifting themes, it is a gem worth cherishing.
I highly recommend streaming this beautiful series on Netflix—allow it to touch your heart and remind you that even in loss, love teaches us the most profound lessons of kindness and connection.
With warmth and gratitude for stories that uplift the soul,
Sonu Tyagi Founder, Approach Entertainment & Go Spiritual
Sonu Tyagi is the Founder of Go Spiritual, a platform dedicated to holistic wellness, and Approach Entertainment, bridging creativity with consciousness. Follow us for more insights on spirituality in everyday life. Visit at www.sonutyagi.com & www.approachentertainment.com
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