Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, known for his roles in Pakistani dramas and Hindi films, recently appeared in the supernatural show “Barzakh” and reflected on his time away from Indian audiences.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but then there is also ‘out of sight, out of mind’ to contend with,” said Fawad Khan, addressing his long absence from Indian screens with his trademark humor.
Fawad, who became a favorite with Pakistani dramas and briefly appeared in Hindi films, was last seen in “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” in 2016. Now, he stars in the supernatural show “Barzakh.”
“I have always been very thankful to fans who have waited for me, and I apologize for making them wait for so long. But it was not in my hands,” the actor told PTI in a Zoom interview. “I’m a firm believer that everything has its own time.”
“Barzakh,” which reunites him with his “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” co-star Sanam Saeed, started streaming on Zindagi’s YouTube channel and ZEE5. The show’s trailers created quite a stir online.
Fawad’s popularity in the subcontinent grew with his roles in “Dastaan” (2010), “Humsafar” (2011), and “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” (2012). His promising Bollywood career, featuring films like “Khubsoorat,” “Kapoor & Sons,” and “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” was cut short due to tense India-Pakistan relations. However, Fawad continued to work on international projects and several Pakistani shows and films.
The actor, who prefers to stay away from social media, said, “To be able to hold on to your position of being a renowned actor has become more difficult, especially in the age of social media… There are performers and talented people everywhere.”
Looking Ahead
Fawad hinted at an exciting future, saying, “If you are waiting for my work, there is a lot that’s going to come out next year. I feel that everything should happen at its own pace and in a good environment. Hopefully, 2025 will have a lot more content coming from my end.”
The actor also featured in Marvel Studios’ series “Ms Marvel,” where he briefly met and chatted with actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar.
“Barzakh,” produced by India’s Shailja Kejriwal and directed by Asim Abbasi, was an interesting project for Fawad. “I’m always up for a good narrative… the magic surrealism and the supernatural aspect attracted me even more.”
A lot of buzz surrounds “Barzakh” as it reunites Fawad and Sanam for the first time since “Zindagi Gulzar Hai.” Fawad’s pairing with Mahira Khan in “Humsafar” also remains iconic.
“Fans liked the pairings so much that it stuck with them for a long time, and the shows became modern classics. Whenever there is such a pairing, people start to wait for your next work together,” Fawad said.
Future Projects
After “Barzakh,” Fawad has two more projects lined up with Sanam and two with Mahira. “I hope the audiences enjoy them as well. The nature of the characters will be different, but I think it will be a new era of our reunion.”
Asked about his selectiveness with projects, Fawad said he was never in a rush to do a lot of stuff. He took a back seat while preparing for “Maula Jatt,” the 2022 film that became the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time.
“I am selective but to the extent that I get involved with stuff that I understand. Everything is coming out now,” he said.
Fawad recently watched Manoj Bajpayee’s “The Family Man” and found it “attention-grabbing.” In Pakistan, he enjoyed “Meray Paas Tum Ho” and “Khaie.”
With streaming platforms opening up more cross-cultural collaborations, Fawad said, “These are exciting times for artists. I have always been open to collaborations. We are very fortunate to be part of an industry that allows us to be exposed to one another’s cultures.”