Barzakh, a Zee Zindagi series, directed and written by Asim Abbasi, is making waves for its bold narrative choices. Abbasi, known for his critically acclaimed film Cake and the Zee Zindagi web series Churails, has faced both praise and criticism for his latest work. Barzakh stars Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, Muhammad Fawad Khan, Khushhal Khan, Uzma Beg, and Salman Shahid, and has been filmed in the picturesque locales of northern Pakistan.
The series, which has released three episodes on YouTube, has seen varying levels of viewership. The first episode garnered 2.6 million views, the second episode reached 998 thousand views, and the third episode accumulated 586 thousand views. Compared to other popular Pakistani dramas, such as Jaan Nisar, which can attract 6 million views within 6 hours, the viewership for Barzakh seems relatively low, despite the presence of star Fawad Khan and the success of Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
Recently, a fan criticized Asim Abbasi for promoting an LGBTQ agenda in Barzakh. The fan’s message read, “Please don’t add more to the fire by saying he ‘chose’ Saifu. They’re asking to boycott the show, and you’re giving them more reasons to do it. Glorifying these characters in the name of art is distasteful. It was wrong in Churails, it’s wrong here.”
In response, Abbasi defended his creative choices, stating, “With all due respect, if you find queer/non-heteronormative storylines ‘distasteful’ please do not watch my content. Thank you.” He tagged the Barzakh team and asserted their commitment to telling LGBTQ stories, as they believe in their importance and relevance.
Following Abbasi’s defense, fans who oppose LGBTQ themes criticized him for promoting content they believe contradicts their religious values. Comments from viewers included:
- “I’ve already boycotted Barzakh because it doesn’t align with my religious values.”
- “Promoting LGBTQ is totally against Islam and is unacceptable.”
The controversy surrounding Barzakh underscores the tension between creative expression and cultural values. Asim Abbasi’s steadfast support for LGBTQ narratives highlights a broader push for diverse representation in media, even as it sparks debate among audiences with varying beliefs.
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