Tag: zeezindagi

  • ‘Mesmerised, blown away, and proud’: Sanam Saeed on Barzakh

    ‘Mesmerised, blown away, and proud’: Sanam Saeed on Barzakh

    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.

  • ‘If you find queer storylines distasteful, do not watch my content’: Asim Abbasi refuses to censor ‘Barzakh’

    ‘If you find queer storylines distasteful, do not watch my content’: Asim Abbasi refuses to censor ‘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.

  • Spooky incidents on Barzakh set? Fawad Khan has all the details  

    Spooky incidents on Barzakh set? Fawad Khan has all the details  

    Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed’s ‘Barzakh’ has built up massive anticipation as its release date draws nearer.

    The drama is not just Fawad’s first major production in years, it also has the distinction of being about a supernatural love story. So, how was the shooting in the beautiful locations of Pakistan’s remote north?

    Spooky, as per Fawad.

    The superstar has revealed a terrifying encounter with the unknown while shooting for ‘Barzakh’, leaving everyone confused and intrigued.

    Recently, Fawad and Sanam appeared as guests on ‘Something Haute’ hosted by Amna Haider.

    Fawad shared an unusual incident that occurred during shooting in a house in Gilgit-Baltistan.

     “One night, I went outside and saw the sky, clouds, and mountains under the dim moonlight, and I felt a strange sensation. There were a few empty rooms, and suddenly the light in one of those rooms started flickering on and off, and then the same happened in another room,” the heartthrob narrated.

    He then told the host about a similar incident during shooting in Chitral.

    Fawad said, “I was in a bathroom with a tin ceiling. I felt as if something was on the ceiling, possibly an animal, but I couldn’t be sure. It was breathing very deeply.”

    The incidents just add to the anticipation of the mega production. We can’t wait.

    Barzakh is a web series that will air on Zee Zindagi on July 19, 2024. The series is written and directed by Asim Abbasi. The cast includes Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, Salman Shahid, Syed Arham, Khushhal Khan, and Uzma Beg.

  • From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

    From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

     
    The Current recently had a conversation with Saji Gul, the writer of the drama ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ where details about why the title changed from its original name ‘Man Jogi’ have emerged.

     

    Gul revealed, “Initially, we named it ‘Mann Jogi,’ but later we found ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ to be more appealing. We wanted a title that highlighted both lead characters, and ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ resonated better with Zee.”

     

    Reflecting on the first title, Gul said, “While ‘Man Jogi’ sounded funny ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ just fit the story and characters better.”

     He also noted that Man Jogi was tricky to pronounce, so choosing Mrs. and Mr. Shameem was simpler for viewers.

    Mrs. & Mr. Shameem is a 2022 web series released initially on ZEE5 on March 11, 2022. Written by Saji Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar, it was co-produced by Misbah Shafique.  

     

     

     

    The web series revolves around Umaina, an independent woman residing in a Lahore hostel. Shameem, the elder brother of Umaina’s friend, faces ridicule from society due to his effeminate nature.

     

    Circumstances compel Umaina and Shameem to live together and enter into a marriage of convenience. As their relationship unfolds, they gradually develop feelings for each other, navigating the challenges that life throws at them.

     

     

    On April 26 2024, ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ became available on the Zindagi YouTube channel, with two episodes releasing weekly on Tuesday and Friday.

     Saji Gul is a renowned screenwriter of television industry, he has writeen drama serials include ‘Ilteja’, ‘Pyari Bitto’ and the award winning ‘O Rangreza’, which was a massive success in 2017-18 and brought him critical acclaim.

     

    Currently he is the head of content at Green TV entertainment and general secretary screenwriters association of Pakistan.

     

  • Iconic duo Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed return in ‘Barzakh’ teaser

    Iconic duo Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed return in ‘Barzakh’ teaser

    The reunion we’ve all been waiting for is here. Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed have teamed up again in ‘Barzakh’, a web series that’s generating massive hype on social media.

    ‘Barzakh’ promises to be an emotional and thought-provoking story that explores 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.

    Fawad Khan will play the role of a single parent, while Sanam Saeed will play a mysterious and compassionate character. Sanam has shared the teaser on her Instagram with the caption, “Eyes lined with secrets, ready to reveal the mysteries within. When all else withers, will love endure? Trailer launching on 1st July – are you ready for the journey? #Barzakh, Premieres 19th July on Zindagi YouTube.”

    The teaser shows main characters lining their eyes with kohl. Written and directed by Asim Abbasi, the creator behind Zee Zindagi’s hit ‘Cake’ (Pakistan’s 2018 Oscar submission), ‘Barzakh’ promises to captivate viewers with its unique storyline and stunning visuals.

    Zee Zindagi recently released six striking artistic posters to keep the audience excited.
    Don’t miss out on the emotional journey premiering on July 19th on Zindagi YouTube.

  • Zee Zindagi set to release ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ for Pakistani viewers

    Zee Zindagi set to release ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ for Pakistani viewers

    The Indian-owned Zindagi website’s ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ was previously not accessible for viewing in Pakistan. Now, after almost two years, the channel has decided to broadcast it on YouTube.

     

    ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ explores love and marriage beyond traditional roles, showcasing the bond between Shameem and Umaina as they navigate challenges together. With a rich music album featuring soulful tracks like ‘Dillagi’, the series blends drama, romance, and social commentary. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey of love and resilience, starting April 26th.

     

    The series, consisting of 20 episodes, airing every Tuesday and Friday at 7:30, promises an exceptional viewing experience. Saba Qamar plays Umaina, a character who challenges societal norms.

     

     

  • Sarah Khan shares what happened behind the set in ‘Abdullahpur ka Devdas’

    Sarah Khan shares what happened behind the set in ‘Abdullahpur ka Devdas’

    Actress Sarah Khan has recently shared some behind the scenes photos from the drama ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas.’
    The highly anticipated series ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas’, starring Sarah Khan and Bilal Abbas Khan, made its debut on Zindagi channel after being produced for Zee5 some years ago. The drama, known for its cinematic storyline and presentation, has become a hit among viewers, averaging three million views per episode.

    The acting performances have received praise from the audience.
    Bilal Abbas Khan, Sarah Khan, Raza Talish, Anoushey Abbasi, Nauman Ijaz, Ali Ansari, Savera Nadeem, and others star in the drama series. The final episode is scheduled to air next week on Friday since it consists of 13 episodes. Sarah Khan has posted some lovely behind-the-scenes pictures from the set. Take a look at a few of them below:

  • Who does Sarah Khan want to work with in Bollywood?

    Who does Sarah Khan want to work with in Bollywood?

    Actress Sara Khan has recently talked about the possibility of working in Bollywood, stating, “I have also grown up watching Bollywood so I will feel good if I get to work in another industry as working in any other industry is a good opportunity for any actor.”

    She also revealed that Salman Khan is her favorite actor and she would love to work with him.

    During an interview with India Today, Sara weighed in on Indo-Pak political tensions affecting the projects artists have done or signed up for. She mentioned that people in India love to watch Pakistani stars, and it saddens her when projects get stalled because of these tensions.’ She told India Today that after her drama Sabaat, she started receiving many messages from India, and many Indians follow her on Instagram. That’s when she realized she was famous in India.

    When asked about her viewing habits regarding Indian dramas, Sara admitted not watching them herself but shared that her husband is an avid viewer of Indian shows. She emphasized the mutual admiration between Pakistani and Indian audiences for each other’s films, indicating a shared cultural bond despite political tensions.