The OTT space continues to bring diverse shows from various regions to global screens, with the latest addition being “Barzakh” from Pakistan. Featuring the iconic pairing of Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan, the show marks their reunion after 11 years since their hit 2013 drama “Zindagi Gulzar Hai.” Ahead of its release, Sanam Saeed shared insights with Indianexpress.com about the series, reuniting with Fawad, and her aspirations in Bollywood following the lifting of the ban on Pakistani actors.
In Islamic terms, Barzakh refers to the veil between this life and the afterlife, a concept that the show explores. The first episode introduces a love story between two souls, filled with symbolism, layered characters, and breathtaking visuals of the Hunza Valley. When asked about her role as Scheherazade, Sanam revealed that director Asim Abbasi wrote the part with her in mind, though she still auditioned for it. “Asim claims he wrote this role for me, but I believe in auditions. Sometimes directors have actors they are comfortable with, and I want to ensure I’m the right fit for the role,” she said.
Sanam’s acting career began in 2010 with a cameo in “Daam,” and she has since become one of Pakistan’s leading actresses. Reflecting on her 14-year journey, she emphasized the continuous learning and discovery acting provides. “Every script brings new challenges and opens my eyes to different characters and situations. This industry allows me to deeply understand people and their stories,” she noted.
The reunion of Sanam and Fawad has excited fans, eager to see the duo back on screen. Sanam described working with Fawad again as akin to catching up with an old friend. “There is a level of trust and comfort between us. It’s like a reflex action where you know the other person has your back, and you can freely experiment and improvise,” she explained.
With the ban on Pakistani actors in Bollywood lifted, Sanam expressed hope for more cross-border collaborations. “I hope actors and crew can now collaborate more freely. While Zee produced Barzakh, it was made in Pakistan. It would be wonderful to see a merging of creative teams,” she said. Although uncertain about a full-fledged Bollywood career, she expressed enthusiasm for participating in OTT content.
Sanam reminisced about her early Bollywood memories, highlighting films like “Lamhe” and “Mr. India,” and expressed her admiration for actors like Aamir Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma. “Sridevi and Anil Kapoor were iconic for me. Their performances left a lasting impression on my childhood,” she recalled.
As “Barzakh” nears its release, viewers eagerly await the unfolding story and the magic of Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan’s on-screen chemistry.
