Series “Barzakh,” starring top Pakistani actorsFawad KhanandSanam Saeed, has unveiled a trailer.
Set in the Hunza Valley, “Barzakh” centers on a 76-year-old man who surprises his estranged children and grandchildren by announcing his engagement to the ghost of his first love. This revelation triggers a series of emotional confrontations as the family gathers, unsure how to respond to the situation.
The trailer suggests that “Barzakh” will explore themes of interconnectedness and enduring love, weaving local folklore into its storyline. The series poses the question: “When all has withered, will love endure?”
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The six-episode series is produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamerZEE5Global. It is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directedZindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails”and the feature film “Cake,” which was Pakistan’s entry for the 2019 Oscars.
Khan said: “After having seen ‘Cake,’ when I was approached for ‘Barzakh,’ I jumped at the opportunity. Asim’s work sets him apart as a very unique director whose emphasis is on character development in a way that is contemporary. Also, I’ve always wanted to attempt something out of the ordinary and ‘Barzakh’ is nothing ordinary. It’s downright experimental and I love it.”
“Asim and Shailja are a power combo. They’ve tuned into each other’s sensibilities and aesthetics. That makes the process all the more easier,” Khan added. “As a producer, how Waqas brought the story to life is nothing short of extraordinary, and his dedication to the craft is deeply inspiring.”
The series reunites Khan and Saeed for the first time since their hit show “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” (2012). “Working with Sanam after all these years is still a comfort zone. I enjoyed it and I believe in her skills. It always makes my job easy. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed the process of making it,” Khan said.
Saeed added: “Being part of ‘Barzakh’ has been an immensely rewarding experience for me. The show’s premise, which explores themes of family, love, loss, and the afterlife, fascinated me from the start. As an actor, I’m constantly seeking roles that challenge me and offer a fresh perspective on storytelling. ‘Barzakh’ does just that, presenting a narrative that transcends conventional boundaries and delves into the realms of the mystical and the unknown.”
“From the minute Asim narrated the story to me, I instantly knew that I had to be a part of this project. Asim has always been a person who tries to explore the unexplored, and this is why I have always been
his fan,” Saeed said. “What excites me the most about this is reuniting with a stellar actor like Fawad and sharing the screen with Salman Shahid, Sajid Hasan and the other Fawad [M. Fawad Khan] who I’ve worked closely with in theater. Shailja as a producer has been an absolute dream to work with as always. Now, with the global release of ‘Barzakh,’ I cannot wait to take the viewers into the world of nowhere.”
Following itswell-received premiere at Series Maniain France, “Barzakh” will stream worldwide on Zindagi’s YouTube channel and ZEE5 Global from July 19.
Watch the trailer here:
