Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are set to reunite for Zindagi’s upcoming series, eight years after their hit show Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
The yet-to-be-titled show, to be streamed on ZEE5, will be helmed by acclaimed director Asim Abbasi, known for Cake and the hit Zindagi Original Churails.
According to the makers, the series blends together "magical realism and supernatural fantasy within a family reunion setting”, dealing with the themes of love, loss, and reconciliation.
“Fawad plays a single parent - charming but ridden with guilt for what he has lost. With his son, he tries to be every bit the father his own father was and wasn't. Sanam plays the central female character in the series.
“Harbouring otherworldly secrets, she takes it upon herself to heal, and make whole, everyone who surrounds her,” the note from the makers read.
Khan, who became a household name in the country with Pakistani dramas like Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2013), Humsafar, and later with Hindi films like Kapoor & Sons (2016) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), credited Zindagi for being an “inclusive” platform for artistes.
“I think Zindagi is taking bold and brave decisions when it comes to storytelling. It is naturally evolving into a platform that encourages diversity of opinion and inclusiveness for all filmmakers and material ranging from everyday mainstream to avant-garde and noir. I feel there's a place for everyone in this artistic landscape,” the 40-year-old actor said.
Saeed said she is thrilled to collaborate with Abbasi after the duo's acclaimed Cake in 2018.
“This new project embarks on a fantastical journey with some stunning performances by a very meticulously picked cast. I can't wait for everyone to see the magic that's been created in this beautiful limbo land,” Saeed, 36, said.
Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Content Officer, Special Projects, Zee Entertainment Enterprises said the team is elated to bring together the trio of Khan, Saeed, and Abbasi for the project. “This time we have experimented with the genre as well as the storyline. While audiences have often seen shows on family dynamics, this one is infused with realms of mystique and fantasy, making it a fascinating watch," she added. Director Abbasi said Zindagi has become a “pioneer”, not only for India-Pakistan over-the-top (OTT) collaborations but also for encouraging artistes to “push boundaries of narrative storytelling."
“I experienced that with Churails and I am experiencing that again with this project. Under Shailja’s support and guidance, Zindagi has truly become a home for many filmmakers like me, where we can see our craziest, wildest ideas come to fruition. I am feeling blessed, and very hopeful that this new project will have a very strong emotional resonance not only with the South Asian viewers but a global audience,” the filmmaker said.
The series has gone on floors, with a large part of it being shot in the picturesque Hunza Valley, Pakistan.
Zindagi, previously a TV channel, is now available on the streaming platform ZEE5.
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.