New Delhi: Fawad Khan is back on TV screens with Barzakh and fans cannot keep calm. The Pakistani actor is paired with his Zindagi Gulzar Hai co-actor Sanam Saeed after 12 years, which has created a buzz like no other. Even before the trailer’s release on 1 July, posters and clips—close-ups of the cast, delicately applying kohl to their eyes—across social media have lent an air of mystery to the show.
Khan made his comeback after six years in 2022 with The Legend of Maula Jutt and OTT series Ms Marvel.
Barzakh marks his return to Indian screens after eight years. His last performance was a cameo in Karan Johar’s 2016 movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Just before the film’s release, the deterioration of India-Pakistan relations following the Uri attack led to the abrupt departure of Pakistani actors, most prominently Khan, leaving numerous Indian fans deeply disappointed.
One X user encapsulated what everyone felt, “The KING is back”.
A true artist
Directed by Asim Abbasi, Barzakh (Purgatory) is about a 76-year-old recluse man inviting his children and grandchildren home to celebrate his third marriage to the ghost of his first love.
This six-episode series is scheduled to premiere in India on ZEE5 on 19 July. Khan plays the role of Shehryar Khanzada, the man’s son. The show was first released at the prestigious Series Mania Festival in France in 2023.
Both Indian and Pakistani fans are eagerly awaiting the superstar’s return. One user also lamented about the political boundaries between the two countries and wished Khan was cast as the lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi.
Barzakh also features Khan’s namesake from the ZEE 5 show Churails. One X user wrote, “I am so excited to see him with the other fawad khan too. I hope they have scenes together. He is a brilliant actor”.
Fans are also excited that British-Pakistani director Asim Abbasi—known for critically acclaimed films such as Cake, Pakistan’s official entry to the Oscars in 2018—will helm the show.
One X user wrote, “In Barzakh, for me, Asim Abbasi is the hero. I am happy Fawad Khan agreed to do it. He is a true artiste who cares only for the story and his art. He doesn’t care about things like a comeback.”
Another X user also noted how Zee will release the show on its YouTube platforms.
“Zee5 being an ott platform and having to release Barzakh on YT is the funniest thing ever if you think about it. The things Zee does for Fawad Khan,” she wrote.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
He is back because he has no money left