AFTER facing backlash over its portrayal of queer love, channel Zindagi announced on Tuesday (6) that they will voluntarily withdraw the series Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan starting Friday (9).
The show, which garnered significant attention by featuring popular Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, along with other prominent actors like M Fawad Khan, Salman Shahid, and Eman Suleman, had sparked controversy for its content.
"We at Zindagi and Team Barzakh extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global audience for their unwavering support for Barzakh – a show created to unite people across the world.
However, in response to the current public sentiment in Pakistan, we have decided to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective Friday.
This decision reflects our commitment to respecting our audiences without causing division. We appreciate your understanding and continued support," the channel said in a statement shared on social media.
Directed by Asim Abbasi, Barzakh had its worldwide premiere on Zindagi's YouTube and ZEE5 on July 19.
Abbasi, whose previous Zindagi show Churails also faced hurdles in Pakistan despite its global success, shared the channel's statement, adding the finale of the six-episode series will air tonight as scheduled.
"Yes, the finale still airs tonight," the director wrote alongside the hashtag Barzakh.
The London-based Pakistani filmmaker also shared the statement on his Instagram Stories with famous queer American author James Baldwin's quote, "Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have".
One of the storylines of the surrealistic drama revolved around M Fawad Khan's character Saifullah's romance with Lorenzo, an Italian cook played Franco Giusti, and that didn't go down well in Pakistan with many criticising the makers for allegedly promoting LGBTQIA+ "agenda".
Mishi Khan, a Pakistani actor, termed the show "trash".
"#barzakh What a shame that we are watching trash in the name of drama. This hidden LGBTQ agenda in the name of drama is being normalised with plays like Barzakh. Shame on the cast who knew the filth in the script but opted to do it," she wrote on X.
Veteran Pakistani actor Rubina Ashraf, however, told a Pakistani channel that television "reflects what is happening in society; it doesn't create it".
“People are criticising Barzakh and have raised many objections to it, but we have also done Udaari where we depicted incest, abortions, and illicit relationships because these are issues prevalent in society,” she said. "A drama cannot promote homosexuality," she added.
But most of the recent voices on social media were critical of the show's stance towards queer love.
"This vulgar Pakistani drama '#BARZAKH' is funded by Illuminati, Freemasons, LGBTQ and satanists. 100% sure," said a user on the microblogging site.
Some called for the show's boycott. "We won't let you normalise it!! #boycottbarzakh #Barzakh #fawadkhan." (PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.