Why Are Pakistanis Boycotting Fawad Khan’s ‘Barzakh’?”

Fawad Khan’s latest web series “Barzakh” has sparked a heated debate among Pakistani viewers, leading to a boycott and a significant decline in viewership. Despite featuring a star-studded cast, including Sanam Saeed and Salman Shahid, the show’s bold narrative has failed to resonate with audiences. The controversy surrounds the show’s perceived promotion of LGBTQ themes, which many viewers believe contradict Islamic teachings. As the backlash grows, one question remains: why are Pakistanis boycotting Fawad Khan’s “Barzakh”?

The series is directed by Asim Abbasi and produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal. The show features a talented cast, including Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, Muhammad Fawad Khan, Khushhal Khan, Uzma Beg, and Salman Shahid. Released on July 19, 2024, on the ZEE5 OTT platform and Zindagi’s official YouTube channel, “Barzakh” is the second collaboration between Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed after their success in “Zindagi Gulzar Hai”.

The controversy surrounding “Barzakh” centers on its depiction of a homosexual character and themes, which many Pakistani viewers deem contradictory to Islamic teachings and cultural norms. Specifically, the show’s portrayal of Aaqa’s older son experiencing same-sex fantasies has sparked outrage, with viewers taking to social media to express their discontent. One viewer commented that if Pakistani creators continue to collaborate with Indian drama makers, Pakistani dramas might face a decline similar to that of Indian dramas.

Interestingly, its viewership is decreasing with every new episode. The first episode has attracted 2.2 million views, the second has drawn in 776 thousand views and the third has reached 288 thousand views as many Pakistanis have expressed that the series fails to resonate with them due to its portrayal of themes that they believe contradict Islamic teachings.

The involvement of Indian creators in “Barzakh” has raised suspicions among Pakistani viewers, who believe that Indian makers are intentionally advancing themes that contradict Pakistani values. Fans have expressed concerns that collaboration with Indian creators may lead to a decline in Pakistani dramas. The controversy surrounding “Barzakh” highlights the challenges faced by Pakistani creators in balancing artistic freedom with cultural and religious sensitivities. As viewership declines and public backlash grows, one question remains: can “Barzakh” regain the trust of Pakistani viewers, or will it become a cautionary tale for future creators?