Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed’s show Barzakh removed from YouTube after backlash, boycott calls over queer love depiction

Barzakh, starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, has been featuring in headlines. A scene featuring Fawad Khan (who stars as Saifullah) and Franco Giusti (who plays the role of Lorenzo) almost kissing, has sparked a backlash online for the depiction of queer love. A section of the Internet demanded viewers to boycott the show, after which the makers decided to "voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan." The official Instagram handle of ZINDAGI shared a statement on social media regarding the controversial scene in the six-episode series.

"Zindagi and Team Barzakh: Statement Of Gratitude And Announcement," the makers wrote. The statement read, "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 made the decision to voluntarily withdraw Barzakh from YouTube Pakistan, effective August 9, 2024. This decision underscores our dedication to honouring our audiences without causing alienation. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support."