Selim Koçovalı

* 2020
* Childhood

**Selim Koçovalı** is a fictional character in the television series Çukur, played by Öner Erkan.

## Biography

Selim was born in 1982, which makes him the third son of İdris Koçovalı and Sultan Koçovalı. He has four brothers. Selim married Ayşe, but they divorced in 2018 (Season 2). They have two children named Akın and Karaca. Selim states that he didn't want to get married and have children, but was forced to by his parents.

All Selim wanted throughout his life was to receive the fondness and respect to him by İdris, just as İdris respected his other sons, and he had never seen this since his childhood. He got worse with his father and mother when he could not prevent his brother Kahraman's death. When Kahraman was shot at, Selim did not fire a bullet and was hiding from the shooters. Since he did not shoot a bullet during the death of Kahraman, he was always known as a coward by İdris and Sultan.

Baykal made an agreement with Selim and Vartolu Sadettin to be the head of Çukur, and Selim always acted with Vartolu. The main reason Selim was doing business with Baykal and Vartolu wass because İdris loves him less than his other sons. Also, Selim was blackmailed by Baykal and Baykal's son Nazım, because of his private life and eventually had to be a killer. As a result of this cooperation, Baykal was going to take over Çukur, Vartolu was going to take revenge of the past and Selim was going to gain the respect he deserved. Vartolu seized the title deeds of all houses and residences in Çukur, and Baykal requested the title deeds.

Selim and Vartolu then parted ways with Baykal, and Baykal tried to kill Vartolu. Baykal lied to Medet, who is Vartolu's right hand, and manipulated him into killing Yamaç. Medet came to shoot Yamaç, but Selim sacrificed himself and was shot. However, he did not die. During this time, Vartolu came to Selim's visitation and said him and Selim are brothers (from another mother). Selim regretted his actions and refused the alliance offer of Baykal's sons, Nazım and Emrah. During this time, Baykal died. Sultan wanted Saadet to marry Cemil, but Selim criticized this decision. During the argument, Sultan told him "you are a coward, you are a weak". Selim then accepted Nazım's offer and joined the group called "Sons Whom Their Father's Disliked", which also included Emrah and Vartolu. Selim brought trouble to Çukur for a long time and Koçovalı family members did not even notice this. His brother Yamaç noticed Selim's treachery too late and learned that if İdris left Çukur, they could take back the title deeds of the house. His wife Ayşe and daughter Karaca left the house and Selim was left alone at home. He felt so isolated and he slit his wrists, but he was rescued by Yamaç at the last moment.

In Season 2, after the Karakuzular gang took over the neighborhood, Selim helped Yamaç, Cumali, and the others secretly and rescued Vartolu's child by killing Lal Fındık from Karakuzular. Selim apologized to his father, mother and family's other members, and after a long time they forgave him. Selim then returned to his essence and started to act for the interests of his brothers and Çukur. Koçovalı family's rival Yücel visited Selim's son Akın in prison and tried to attract him to his side. Akın himself, instead of confronting Yücel, put a man in front of him and concealed his identity until he understood what was happening. The next day, Akın called Selim and made him come to the morgue, saying that "your son was killed". While Selim goes to the morgue and looks at the corpse, Akın comes out of nowhere. Akın stated that he was resentful of Selim and his grandfather, who did not support him after entering prison in the past. Akın said that he would manage Çukur himself, but Selim did not take it seriously. Yücel then sets a trap for the Koçovalı family and sends them to prison. Yücel also set a trap for Yamaç and İdris, made Yamaç kill İdris.

In Season 3, Selim and others were released from jail. Because of İdris's death, Selim had an emotional moment with his mother Sultan. Akın forms an alliance with Yücel, Azer, Timsah, and Efsun to become the Head of Çukur, but they did not know that. It turns out Akın let Azer sell drugs in the neighbourhood. Selim hated his son Akın's desire to capture Çukur just like himself in the past. He found it right for Yamaç to kick Akın out of Çukur and remained silent. Due to Azer killed Kemal; Yamaç killed Azer's brother Kadir to take his revenge. Azer then wanted wanted to take revenge, had Cumali shot at the hotel, and Selim responded to those who fired bullets by doing what he had not done in the past. After Yamaç suddenly disappears, Selim become the Head of Çukur. Çağatay Erdenet's servant Fatih comes to the neighborhood with Yamaç's ring, and says that Çağatay killed Yamaç. Selim and Cumali went to the hospital and the doctor tells that "Yamaç is dead". However, it turned out later that it was a plan by Salih and Mahsun to save Yamaç from Çağatay, so Yamaç hasn't died. Çağatay learned Selim's secret and blackmail him, forcing him away from the neighborhood.

In Season 4, the Koçovalı Family learned that Yamaç killed İdris. Because of this, Cumali shot Yamaç, but he did not die. The Koçovalı family members turned their back on Yamaç. However, Selim then reconciled with Yamaç. Selim meets a guy named Cemil at the bar. Cemil said he had no money and Selim arranged for him a place to stay. Cemil then tells him he will go somewhere far and Selim says he wants to come with him, which he agreed. Later it turns out that Çağatay arranged Cemil to deceive Selim, and the title deeds belonging to İdris Koçovalı are in the hands of Çağatay. In the 14th episode of the 4th season, Selim was stabbed by Çağatay. Even though he was stabbed, Selim walked to the neighborhood to give the deeds to his family. Selim could no longer take the pain and fell to the ground, Yamaç held him. Selim saw his father İdris at the last moment before he died and the last word he said was "Father". He died in the arms of Yamaç.

## Personality

From a young age, Selim was calm and insightful, showing noticeable maturity for his age and knowledge on how to deal with every situation. He lived at a distance, observing individuals and ideas without getting directly involved so that he could fully understand them. With the smart plans he made, he always knew how to calm his brothers Yamaç, Cumali and Salih (Vartolu).

According to most of the viewers, Selim is a closeted bisexual or homosexual, due to his friendship with Celal, Cemil from Season 1, and Cemil from Season 4.

* See also: Selim's secret

## Quotes

* “Bir gün, bir Çukur hepimizi yutacak.’’ (“One day, a pit will swallow us all.’’)
* “Beni niye istemedin hiç?’’ (“Why did you never want me?’’)  (to İdris Koçovalı)
* “Kardeşlerim beni yanlarına almazlar ki artık. Ben olsam ben de almazdım, kim ister ki böyle bir kardeş.’’ (“My brothers won't take me with them anymore. I would not do it either, who would want a brother like that.’’)
* “Size uymuyorsa nefes almamız bile suç.’’ (“Even breathe is a crime when it does not suit you.’’)  (to Kahraman Koçovalı)
* “O benim kızım.’’
* "Ben sizi çok severken de benden nefret ettiniz."