Controversial Pakistani supernatural horror series ‘Barzakh’ pulled down from YouTube after queer sub-plot sparks outrage
TV series ‘Barzakh’ has been pulled down, after it faced a huge backlash due to its daring take on queer love.
The show debuted on July 19 on Zindagi's YouTube channel and ZEE5. However, the producers have announced via Zindagi's official Instagram account that the series will be removed from the video-sharing platform. In their statement, the creators expressed their gratitude to the global audience for their 'steadfast support' as they take down the six-episode series.
“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,” read the official statement shared on the Instagram handle of Zindagi.
It added, “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."
The controversy erupted when an episode featured Fawad M. Khan (playing Saifullah) and Franco Giusti (playing Lorenzo) in a near-kiss scene. This sparked significant backlash, with some viewers calling for a boycott due to the show's LGBTQIA+ themes. In response, Asim tweeted, “With all due respect, if you find queer non-heteronormative storylines distasteful, please do not watch my content.”
The series centers on a secluded resort owner who invites his
