In a surprising twist, Zindagi has announced that its most recent series, Barzakh, will no longer be available on YouTube Pakistan beginning on August 9.
In their statement, Zindagi expressed sincere gratitude to their global audience for their unwavering support. They explained that the decision was made to respect the sentiments of the Pakistani viewers.
Yes, the finale still airs tonight. pic.twitter.com/AXDycJ0bsM
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) August 6, 2024
Barzakh is directed by Asim Abbasi, known for his past victories Churails and Cake, started debate for topics considered ‘provocative’ by certain watchers. Over four million people have watched the first episode of the series on YouTube already. The show includes a stellar cast including Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, M Fawad Khan, Salman Shahid, Khushhal Khan, Sajid Hasan, Uzma Ask, and Nighat Choudhry.
Read more: Fawad Khan starrer ‘Barzakh’ under fire for featuring pro LGBTQ content
The serial ‘Barzakh’ stirred controversy due to its portrayal of scenes involving homosexuality, adultery, and obscenity in the early episodes, leading to a nationwide boycott campaign.
‘Barzakh’ stands out as a fantasy drama, distinct from other stories. The plot revolves around the philosophical concept that after death, a person’s soul resides in ‘Barzakh,’ a transitional world before the resurrection. The story controversially depicts a romantic relationship between two men and includes scenes where children overhear sexual noises, drawing a parallel to their mother’s experiences.
The controversial content sparked a boycott campaign across Pakistan, with hashtags like ‘No Obscenity’ and ‘No Barzakh’ trending on social media. Showbiz personalities joined the public in condemning the drama.
Read more: Fawad Khan to make a comeback in Bollywood opposite Vaani Kapoor
Representatives of Zee Five stated, “We, Zindagi and team Barzakh, are deeply grateful to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh—a show that was created to unite people everywhere. However, in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have decided to withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan autonomously. This decision reflects our commitment to respect our viewers and engage them without any separation.”