Singer and actor Junaid Khan has revealed that he had slapped actress Sanam Saeed for a scene.
Appearing on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Junaid talked about the time that he slapped actress Sanam during the shooting of drama series Mata-e-Jaan in 2012.
“Honestly, I still feel bad about what I did, but it was a necessary part of the script, and I was just doing what the director told me to do,” the actor said.
Junaid recalled the uncomfortable experience,
“I didn’t want to do it, but Jabbar and Saeed kept pushing me to actually slap the actress to make the scene look real. I hesitantly did a slow slap, but the director said it wasn’t intense enough for the camera”, Khan added.
Sanam Saeed always lets her work speak for her. When the actress does speak, she never shies away from saying exactly what is on her mind.
Though her latest project Barzakh, written and directed by Asim Abbasi, landed in controversy, she has come to its defence. The series attracted a lot of attention due to its incredible cinematography however, its queer-themed content stirred massive controversy, invoking mixed reactions across the region.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Saeed shared her thoughts on the overwhelming response to the web series. The Barzakh actress said, “The feedback has been quite overwhelming. Mesmerised, blown away, and proud are just the adjectives that I’ve gotten to hear. People are really overwhelmed, intrigued, curious and have slowly understood that this is not a show that they can just binge-watch. It’s something that they have to really focus on and watch with a lot of attention.”
Despite the backlash, particularly in Pakistan where Barzakh was removed from YouTube, Saeed remains positive about its impact, especially in India. “It was this really beautiful exchange that happened (through the platform, Zindagi) where people’s eyes were opened up,’ noting how Indian audiences gained new insights into Pakistani culture.”
Although she hasn’t had an opportunity yet, the actor expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of working in India in the future.
“I haven’t experienced it, so I can’t say that I miss it because I’ve never gone to India for work. But things will happen one day”, Saeed added.
Zee Zindagi’s latest Pakistani project ‘Barzakh’ has been at the center of a heated controversy ever since its release two weeks ago. Written and directed by Asim Abbasi who known for his previous projects ‘Churails’ ‘Cake’, the web series has been accused of promoting queer themes. The show still got over four million views on YouTube in the short while since its release.
Zindagi has announced that it will remove the Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed venture from YouTube Pakistan starting August 9. In a statement on their official Instagram page, the network thanked fans and explained the reason for the removal:
“We, at Zindagi and Team Barzakh, extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh — a show that was created to bring people together everywhere. But in light of the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have decided to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024. The decision underscores our dedication to honoring our audiences without causing alienation. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support. Thank You.”
Asim Abbasi, the writer and director of Barzakh, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts on the removal:
“No story of mine is worth more than the safety of all the beautiful, talented artists who came together to craft it. So this decision really is for the best. For all those who have showered us with love, I hope you enjoy the finale! And remember – stories never die.”
Barzakh’s last episode is set to air on Tuesday night at 6 pm.
Asim Abbasi’s Barzakh, with big names including Salman Shahid, Fawad Khan, Mohammad Fawad Khan, and Sanam Saeed, has grabbed all the headlines since its release on Zee Zindagi’s YouTube. Fans can be found online discussing themes and episodes.
Recently television host Nadia Khan also shared her review. During her show ‘Kya Drama Hai’ on Channel 24,
Nadia said, “There are five reasons why you should watch the web series ‘Barzakh’. Firstly, it marks Fawad Khan’s comeback after a long time, which is a big deal. Additionally, the pairing of Fawad and Sanam is a hit and it’s been a while since we’ve seen them together. The theme of the series is also unique as it’s an international platform, which means there are no restrictions on language, clothing, or scenes. This makes it a relief for those who are tired of the usual saas-bahu and family dramas. Lastly, the series has a dark and mysterious tone with a murder mystery that will keep you engaged.”
Here is the link to what Nadia Khan said about Barzakh:
Director Asim Abbasi sent a clear message to the critics of his web series ‘Barzakh’. Asim Abbasi shared a picture of the show on his Instagram story, where a person replied saying, “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 so it. Glorifying these characters in the name of art is distasteful. It was wrong churails, its wrong here.”
On which Asim Abbasi, who is also the writer of Barzakh, replied, “With all due respect, if you find queer non-heteronormative storylines distasteful please do not watch my content.” Fawad Khan is playing the characters Saifullah and Lorenzo. The statement comes in response to a scene in episode 3 featuring an almost kissing moment between two male characters.
Asim Abbasi tagged the producers of web series with the caption on his story, “Shailja Kejriwal Waqas Ali and I will always champion rights of all, and tell stories that we believe in.”
The main plot of Barzakh is to explore the mysteries of life, the afterlife, and the enduring power of love. Set in the beautiful Hunza Valley, the story follows a 76-year-old recluse who invites his estranged children and grandchildren to his remote valley resort for a special event his wedding to the ghost of his first true love.
Aamina Sheikh, known for her exceptional acting talent, is not only celebrated for her compelling performances but also for her unwavering commitment to promoting arts and culture. During an interview with MomKast, Aamina Sheikh talked about that she planned to put her career on hold and focus only on her children.
Aamina said, “I would shoot a scene and I would nurse my daughter in between then I would go back to shooting, Nursing is such a big commitment on your body, so I wasn’t getting any break by feeding in between scenes, I was basically running a double shift.”
“After that, obviously her schooling and her routine became a priority. I also had to face some other challenges in life due to which I had to put my work aside and figure out the way forward, for myself and for my child, hence my move to Dubai.” Sheikh added. Recalling the difficult decision she had to make as a working mother, Aamina Sheikh shares, “And for a while, I had to choose what takes priority here? My child, and her future, or my passion? And I chose her. I took that break. I had to really redesign things and reestablish my family, my ground. I put work on the back burner and Alhumdulliah I could, monetarily speaking, because many women don’t have that option or support in their marriage, or are financially challenged. Well, I had that support from my parents and having worked so much and been so financially mindful all my life.”
After a long break, Aamina Sheikh is making a return to the spotlight with an exciting new project. She will soon be seen in Netflix’s upcoming series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.
Aamina Sheikh tied the knot with actor Mohib Mirza, in 2005, and they announced their divorced in 2018. The couple has daughter, named Meissa, in their 13-year marriage. She re-married businessman and entrepreneur, Omer Farooqi, in August 2020, and the couple had a son, named Issa, in 2021.
Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan, celebrated for their brilliant chemistry in Humsafar, have legions of fans, including Sanam Saeed. The talented actress who is reuniting with Fawad Khan after 12 years in the Zee web series Barzakh, told BBC Asian Network, that the Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan jori creates magic on screen.
“Unlike Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan’s pairing, when I appear on screen with Fawad, people do not feel the same magic, and our pairing does not look as good.” While talking about coming together the superstar after more than a decade, she commented, “I myself cannot believe that Fawad Khan and I are working together on screen again after 12 years. But I think fans will be shocked to see us together on screen again after so many years.”
Talking about different roles, Sanam that as an actor she has to play all kinds of roles. “Viewers should also see me as an actor and understand that I can’t appear in romantic roles every time.”
The Barzakh actress also said, “Both Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan are beautiful and cute, so their pair looks good. However, Fawad Khan’s interaction with them can be different. It is not necessary that they always appear as a pair.” Fawad and Sanam’s last project together was Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which aired on HUMTV in 2012 and was written by Umera Ahmed.
Bazarkh was released on the ZEE5 YouTube channel. The web series is directed and written by Asim Abbasi.
Barzakh, the latest web series on Zee Zindagi, is creating waves among viewers with its unique storyline and great production.
The web series is not your typical Pakistani family drama, but a thought-provoking and visually stunning series which is generating a range of reactions from the audience on X.Here are some of the reactions: Barzakh is also gaining popularity in India. But not all reactions are positive.
Barzakh is a breakthrough series that defies convention and features outstanding acting and storyline. It may not be for everyone, but praise is growing for its bold concept and superb aesthetic execution. It is absolutely worth a watch if you haven’t seen it before.
Barzakh, is a drama that combines elements of myth and reality. The show follows a stranged family’s journey as they uncover old resentments and buried secrets. The web series reunites Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, who previously starred together in the iconic drama ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai.’
It has a talented cast, including Salman Shahid, Syed Arham, Khushhal Khan,and Franco Giusti. The story begins with three siblings reuniting for their father’s third wedding. Their father, Aaqa, is an old man who still has his wits about him. His daughter, Scheherezade looks after him and the family hotel, Mehtab Mahal, which was built in memory of his first love. The two sons from his first marriage, Shehryar (played by Fawad Khan) and Saifullah, seem distant from their father.
Barzakh touches on controversial topics like homosexuality and unusual family relationships. Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed play half-siblings instead of romantic interests, which might surprise some viewers, but these elements add depth to the story.
The web series is visually beautiful, with a great set in the beautiful mountainous locations in Hunza valley.The first episode leaves viewers eager to see more, hinting at hidden family secrets and interesting possibilities.
In a country where diabetes is becoming an increasingly prevalent health concern, actor Fawad Khan is sharing his personal story of living with the disease and urging others to take control of their health and make informed choices about their diet. During an interview with ‘Fuchsia Magazine’, the superstar was asked by the host, “You suffered from diabetes at a very young age, and you still have it. I think many people in Pakistan are diagnosed with it, but we don’t take it seriously enough. Do you think this is a widespread issue?”
Fawad Khan said, “I’m worried about the rising prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan, especially among children as young as four to eight years old. Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, so it’s essential to be mindful of sugar intake.” “Sugar is not a necessity, it’s a desire. You can quit it, and it’s not good for your health.” Khan added.
The Barzakh actor advised his fans: “It is your own decision how much sweet you want to consume and how much you don’t.” Fawad Khan concluded, “Sugar damages your body just like other banned drugs. I’ve learned from my own experiences and those of others that sugar is your biggest enemy.”
Fawad Khan is currently starring in a web series along with Sanam Saeed, Salman Shahid, Syed Arham, Khushhal Khan, and Uzma Beg. This series is written and directed by Asim Abbasi.
