Following significant backlash over its portrayal of queer love, Zindagi channel announced on Tuesday that they are voluntarily withdrawing the series “Barzakh” from YouTube Pakistan effective August 9.
The show, which gained considerable attention by featuring two of Pakistan’s most popular stars, Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, also includes prominent actors such as M Fawad Khan, Salman Shahid, and Eman Suleman.
“We, at Zindagi and Team Barzakh, extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh – a show that was created to bring people together everywhere,” the channel said in a statement shared on social media. “But 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.”
Directed by Asim Abbasi, “Barzakh” had its worldwide premiere on Zindagi’s YouTube and ZEE5 on July 19. Abbasi, whose previous Zindagi show “Churails” also faced hurdles in Pakistan despite its global success, shared the channel’s statement, adding that the finale of the six-episode series would air as scheduled.
“Yes, the finale still airs tonight,” the director wrote, using the hashtag #Barzakh. He also shared the statement on his Instagram Stories, alongside a quote from famous queer American author James Baldwin: “Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
One of the storylines of the surrealistic drama revolved around M Fawad Khan’s character, Saifullah, and his romance with Lorenzo, an Italian cook played by Franco Giusti. This storyline did not sit well with many in Pakistan, who criticized the makers for allegedly promoting an LGBTQIA agenda.
Pakistani actor Mishi Khan termed the show “trash,” writing on X, “#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.”
However, veteran Pakistani actor Rubina Ashraf defended the show, telling a Pakistani channel that television reflects society rather than creating it. “People are criticizing ‘Barzakh’ and have raised many objections to it, but we have also done ‘Udaari’ where we depicted incest, abortions, and illicit relationships because these are issues prevalent in society,” she said. “A drama cannot promote homosexuality.”
Despite some supportive voices, most recent social media comments were critical of the show’s stance towards queer love. One user on the microblogging site claimed, “This vulgar Pakistani drama ‘#BARZAKH’ is funded by Illuminati, Freemasons, LGBTQ and satanists. 100% sure.” Others called for a boycott of the show, saying, “We won’t let you normalize it!! #boycottbarzakh #Barzakh #fawadkhan.”
