“Barzakh,” Starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, to Be Removed from YouTube Pakistan: Details Inside
The makers of the popular serial Barzakh have announced their decision to voluntarily withdraw the show from YouTube Pakistan starting August 9, 2024, considering the sentiments of the local audience.
In an official statement on Instagram, Zindagi and Team Barzakh expressed their gratitude to the global audience for their support. They stated, “We, at Zindagi and Team Barzakh, extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh – a show that was curated to bring people together everywhere.” The statement continued, “In light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have made the decision to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024. This decision underscores our dedication to honoring our audiences without causing alienation. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support.”
View this post on Instagram
Directed by Asim Abbasi, Barzakh has faced controversy since its first episode aired, primarily due to its portrayal of queer love. The show depicts Fawad Khan’s character, Shehryar, and Franco Giusti’s character, Lorenzo, sharing an intimate moment, which sparked backlash for its LGBTQIA+ themes.
Fans of the show have expressed disappointment over its removal. One fan commented, “It’s just a fictional drama, take it with a pinch of salt. Why do people take it personally nowadays? Such a beautiful series.” Another added, “It will be ages till the audience learns to appreciate art for its own sake and not impose it on personal lives. Such a shame.”
Pakistani TV actress Mishi Khan also voiced her dissatisfaction with the show’s content. She posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “#barzakh What a shame that we are watching trash in the name of drama. This hidden LGBTQ agenda in the name of drama is being normalized with plays like Barzakh. Shame on the cast who knew the filth in the script but opted to do it.”
Barzakh tells the story of a reclusive old resort owner preparing for his third wedding, despite his latest bride having died years earlier. The show explores the family’s journey as they confront their personal demons, addressing themes such as mental health, postpartum depression, generational trauma, and gender inclusivity. The series consists of six episodes.
In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Fawad Khan discussed his preparation for the role. He shared, “We did discussions and readings about how to tackle the character. My character, in particular, Shehryar, who is an unhinged psychiatrist, unhinged in the sense that he’s a candidate for therapy himself. While shooting, it was emotionally disturbing on many levels but it was a complex character that reading itself was self-explanatory in many ways.”
Alongside Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, the show features Salman Shahid, Eman Suleman, Khushhal Khan, Faiza Gillani, and Anika Zulfikar in key roles.
