ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, is expanding its horizons with its most anticipated web series, Barzakh.
This groundbreaking show is directed by Asim Abbasi, the maverick behind the web series Churails and Cake. After Barzakh’s acclaimed premiere at the prestigious Series Mania Festival in France, the series will be available to audiences worldwide on ZEE5 Global and Zee Zindagi from Friday, July 19th. It stars Fawad Khan, a global favorite icon, and the talented Sanam Saeed.
Barzakh follows the poignant journey of a 76-year-old reclusive man who invites his estranged
children and grandchildren to his remote valley resort to celebrate an extraordinary and
unconventional event—his wedding with the ghost of his first true love. This emotionally profound
narrative makes viewers think about life’s mysteries, what happens after death, and the deep
feeling of love that ties us together.
The series unfolds against the backdrop of the picturesque Hunza Valley, showcasing its ethereal
beauty and bringing the narrative to life.
Alongside Fawad Khan & Sanam Saeed, the 6-episode series boasts of an exceptional ensemble cast,
including Salman Shahid, M. Fawad Khan, Eman Suleman, Khushhal Khan, Faiza Gillani, Anika
Zulfikar, Franco Giusti among others. Notably, Barzakh reunites Fawad and Sanam for the first time
since their superhit show Zindagi Gulzar Hai 12 years ago.
Produced by Shailja Kejriwal and Waqas Hassan, with cinematography by Mo Azmi, Barzakh is a
collaborative effort of visionary talents in the industry.
Furthermore, Barzakh bravely explores themes of mental health, postpartum depression,
generational trauma and gender inclusivity through a gripping narrative that challenges societal
conventions. It also delves into the profound role of folklore in the complex tapestry of human
existence, prompting viewers to contemplate life’s nuances.
Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said, “At ZEE5 Global, we are dedicated to
bringing the best of South Asian content to the global diaspora, serving as a one-stop destination for
exceptional entertainment that resonates across cultures and borders. With the premiere of
‘Barzakh’ on ZEE5 Global, we are excited to present a groundbreaking series that combines magical
realism and supernatural fantasy in a captivating family reunion narrative. Featuring the beloved and immensely talented Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, ‘Barzakh’ exemplifies our commitment to
innovative storytelling that touches on profound themes of love, life, and beyond. We believe that
‘Barzakh’ will enthrall audiences worldwide, offering them a unique and thought-provoking
viewing experience.”
Director Asim Abbasi said, “All storytellers dream of moments like this in their career, where they
are allowed to run wild. Barzakh is just that – me running wild through this forest of fear and hope
and magic – to create something a little bit spiritual and a whole lot of trippy. It’s a story about love
and faith. About humans desperately looking for connections and meaning. Fragile, broken souls,
looking to hold on to whatever they can, to make sense of this big, bad, beautiful thing called life.
Thanks to Shailja and Zindagi, Barzakh has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. And
whilst I hope the six hours of this series thoroughly mesmerise and entertain audiences; more than
that, I hope that the ‘Land of Nowhere’ changes a small part of their heart, in an unexpected way.
The way it changed so many of us, involved in its making.”
Producer Shailja Kejriwal adds, “A wedding invite. A dead bride. A family reunion, where ghosts
arrive! Concepts like these make you revisit the reason why you chose to be in this profession over
everything else. One can play safe, throw data and focus groups at the creator, or become a
facilitator with irrational beliefs. Barzakh for me is that story where the entire cast and crew came
together to be a part of something unique, fresh, and slightly mind-bending. Asim Abbasi creates a
surreal world where ghosts cry milky tears carrying the weight of unresolved emotions on their
backs; a world where fairies come to take troubled young girls to their meadows beyond the
mountains, where young love blossoms under apricot trees, and promises are made for a ‘happily
ever after’! Leo Tolstoy once said, ‘Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in
its own way’. At its core, Barzakh is about an estranged family reuniting for a wedding. It is unique
because this reunion brings together the living as well as the dead. It is elevating because at the end
of it all there is a ‘happily ever after’!”
Producer Waqas Hassan said, “Creating Barzakh Universe with Asim and Shailja was in many ways
a milestone not just for me but for the many who were involved in a project of this scale and caliber.
I feel like working with an international production partner not only broadened my horizons but
gave Pakistani film makers and thespians a platform to prove to the world that they can match
global expectations and quality. From building literal villages to creating lifelong friends and
communities; from building roads to paving a narrative that goes beyond the norm or normal
storytelling, Barzakh has it all. I can proudly say that Team Barzakh poured their heart and souls
into this project, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Don’t miss the global premiere of ‘Barzakh’ streaming from July 19 on ZEE5 Global across the globe.
ZEE5 Global is available in 190 countries including U.S, U.K. UAE and Canada. It will be available on
platforms like Android, iOS, www.zee5.com, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung TVs.
