Pakistani actor Sanam Saeed, known for her fearless roles and strong opinions, recently opened up to Hindustan Times about the overwhelming response to her latest show, Barzakh. The Asim Abbasi directorial, which has captivated audiences with its stunning visuals and powerful performances, has also sparked significant controversy due to its queer-themed content.
"The feedback has been quite overwhelming," Saeed said, reflecting on the show's reception. "Mesmerised, blown away, and proud are just the adjectives that I've gotten to hear," she added, highlighting the positive reactions to the series. The actor stressed that Barzakh is not a typical binge-watch but rather a show that demands careful attention and deep reflection.
"People are really overwhelmed, intrigued, curious and have slowly understood that this is not a show that they can just binge-watch. It's something that they have to really focus on and watch with a lot of attention," Saeed remarked.
Barzakh, a six-part series, has garnered over 4 million views on YouTube since its debut, but not without controversy. The show's queer themes have sparked heated debates, leading to its removal from YouTube Pakistan after significant public backlash, as per Zindagi.
Despite the controversy, Saeed remains optimistic about the show's impact, particularly in India. "It was this really beautiful exchange that happened (through the platform, Zindagi) where people's eyes were opened up," she said, noting how Indian audiences gained new insights into Pakistani culture.
While Pakistanis are familiar with Indian culture through Bollywood and popular TV platforms like Star Plus, Saeed pointed out that Indians often lack similar access to Pakistani culture. Barzakh, she believes, has helped bridge that gap.
Looking ahead, the actor expressed a cautious optimism about the possibility of working in India, though she has not yet had the opportunity. "I never came to India to work, so I cannot say that I miss it because I haven't experienced it. But with time, things will happen," she said. She emphasised the importance of cultural exchange, citing collaborations like Barzakh as crucial steps toward greater artistic collaboration between the two nations.
"It's a big enough deal that Zee collaborates with us and that we have this cross-cultural exchange. When actors from the other side of the border feel confident and safe enough to act with us, and things change, then that exchange will definitely happen."
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