‘Barzakh’ review: Fawad Khan’s drama is a subtle exploration of love and loss
‘Barzakh’ highlights the complexities of love that transcends life and explores themes of gender inclusivity, mental health and generational trauma. Set in the Hunza Valley of Pakistan, the series stars Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan in stellar performances.
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fawad khan
You are afraid of love that you don’t understand – says Seherazad, played by Sanam Saeed, in a scene with Salman Shahid’s Zafar Khanzada in ‘Barzakh’. At first glance, it is indeed difficult to understand the love that is beyond life. But like many unknown things in life, love – an intangible feeling – is as complex as one makes it and as simple as one believes it to be.
In Arabic, Barzakh means the thread that maintains the line between life and the afterlife. Just like its title, this show by Asim Abbasi is set in a desolate region of Pakistan. The beautiful Hunza valley is enough to captivate you from the first scene itself, even before we meet Zafar Khanzada (Salman), who is all set to marry the first love of his life, whose soul left the world many years ago. In her luxurious Mehtab Mahal, Seherazad takes care of him.
At his wedding, he invites his sons – Sheheryar (Fawad Khan) and Saifullah (Fawad M Khan). Together we embark on this imaginary journey, whose beginning and end are unfamiliar.
Dealing with themes of gender inclusivity, mental health and generational trauma in a subtle manner, Asim has handled each character with an empathetic lens. Using a retro monochromic shot as a prologue to Jafar and Mehtab’s love story is clever. The first two episodes give you a glimpse of the chaotic Khanzada family, with each member hiding a secret.
It’s also interesting how the theme of dysfunction stems from generational trauma and mental health and other topics. Fawad plays a single father who has many layers to his life. Sanam plays a mysterious caregiver who is elusive, yet friendly. Every character is everything that meets the eye. Perhaps that’s what makes ‘Barzakh’ so entertaining.
Unlike Sanam and Fawad’s last film – ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ 12 years ago – the dynamics here are more complex. This is no typical love story and certainly no typical Fawad-Sanam love story, so don’t expect that. Instead, the pair showcase their talents while playing characters that reflect the larger theme of the show.
There is a mystery to be unraveled and both Fawad and Sanam’s characters are at the centre of this mystery. Both have secrets.
The series also has great supporting cast like Iman Suleman, Khushal Khan, Faiza Gilani and Muhammad Shah. The incredible acting by the cast adds charm to this mystery drama. Perhaps this story is not everyone’s cup of tea.
As a viewer, you should allow yourself to be immersed in the enduring theme of love. In a time when love is steadily losing its meaningful existence, every generation will look at it differently. But the subtext of the film will unite every generation as they are relatable themes.
Watch the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvWa03rrInc
The production and scale of the series is as big as it can get. However, the VFX sometimes seem mediocre. The background score matches well with the serious cinematography. The slow pace of the show works in its favour.
Watch it for the brilliant acting and find yourself lost in this folklore inspired love that reminds you of the Romeo and Juliet of the world – except that it feels more real.
New episodes will be released every Tuesday and Friday for the next six weeks on Zindagi’s official YouTube channel.
