Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, the lead pair of popular Pakistani drama ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, are reuniting for Churrells director Asim Abbasi’s next film ‘Barzakh’ which will have its global premiere at the Series Mania festival in France. Ek Zindagi Original, Pakistani show produced by Shailaja Kejriwal and one of the most popular actors in the subcontinent, Fawad will be seen in the role of a single parent battling crime and loss.
Sanam plays the central female character who is mysterious as well as compassionate in the show, which blends magical realism and supernatural fantasy together in the setting of a family reunion, and deals with themes of love, loss and reconciliation. is related.
“Barzakh”, which translates as ‘obstacle’ or ‘refinement’, will be screened as part of the International Panorama line-up, a 12-title competitive section and will be nominated for Best Series, Best Director, Best Nominated in several categories as well. Actress, Best Actor as well as the Student Jury Award and Audience Award.
Talking about the selection, Asim said, “At its core, Barzakh is a family drama set within the world of supernatural beings and other-worldly events. The story has its origins in a personal loss and the fear that comes with it, which made me realize that love is truly eternal and inspired me to write a story about it. The selection of Barzakh in Series Mania is such an important yet humbling opportunity for all of us, not only because it is such a show that is very close to my heart but also because the selection is a strong validation of our belief in this story that is now finding its way among the best in the world.”
The Series Mania festival, held annually in Lille, France, since its inception in 2010, has been instrumental in recognizing and curating the best series around the world.
Producer Shailaja said the series was conceptualized during the pandemic “when all pre-defined notions of love, life, death and beyond” underwent a seismic shift. “Set in the Hunza Valley with its myths and legends, Asim Abbasi’s quirky, funny, deeply philosophical and layered writing, a dollop of magical realism and bringing back Fawad Khan…all added up to a show that needed to be made Was.
“I am so thrilled that Barzakh not only received its title, but also became the only series from our region to make it to the Series Mania festival. We feel that its selection to the festival is the perfect first step for the series on its global journey . ready to start”, she said.
“Zindagi Gulzar Hai” introduced Fawad and Sanam to Indian audiences and remains one of the most loved Pakistani dramas in the country, followed by Fawad and Mahira Khan’s “Humsafar”.
Abbasi rose to global fame with her Netflix film “Cake” and further acclaim with the Zindagi show “Churls”, a show that told the stories of women from different strata of Karachi and how they became members of a secret spy agency. Come together to fight social evils through medium.
(With PTI inputs)