By In a historic moment, Pakistan has just announced its very first Netflix original series. According to Variety, this groundbreaking show, titled “Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo,” is set to feature a stellar cast including Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, and Ahad Raza Mir in prominent roles. This marks Netflix’s inaugural foray into Pakistan-centric content, and the involvement of these acclaimed actors promises to enthrall audiences globally.
Adapted from the highly-praised 2013 Urdu novel by Farhat Ishtiaq, “Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo” follows the compelling journey of Sikandar, a brilliant Harvard law student whose life takes an unexpected turn, leading him to erect emotional walls between himself and others. While in Italy, he crosses paths with Liza, a gifted artist bursting with vitality but haunted by a tumultuous past. Their fateful encounter weaves their destinies together in a tale of profound human connection.
The cast boasts some of Pakistan’s biggest entertainment icons, with the magnetic Fawad and beloved Mahira reuniting after their record-breaking success in “The Legend of Maula Jatt,” Pakistan’s highest-grossing film to date. Sanam, who previously shared the screen with Fawad in “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” and the yet-to-be-released “Zindagi” series, “Barzakh,” joins this stellar ensemble alongside Ahad, known for his recent appearances in Netflix’s “Resident Evil” and the BBC’s “World on Fire.”
A constellation of stars, adored across Pakistan, South Asia, and beyond, headlines Netflix’s inaugural Pakistan-themed original, “Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.”
The series is an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s best-selling 2013 Urdu novel of the same name. It revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who undergoes a life-altering incident that compels him to keep others at arm’s length, and Liza, a talented artist who radiates life but carries the scars of a troubled past. Their paths intersect in Italy.
The cast also includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, known for his antagonist role in “The Legend of Maula Jatt”; Bilal Ashraf (“Superstar”); Maya Ali (“Parey Hut Love”); Iqra Aziz (“Raqeeb Se”); Hania Aamir (“Parde Mein Rehne Do”); Khushaal Khan (“Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri”); Nadia Jamil (“Jo Bichar Gaye”); Omair Rana (“Pinjra”); and Samina Ahmed (“Ms. Marvel”).
The series is being produced by Dubai-based Momina Duraid Films FZ – LLC, with Momina Duraid, renowned for her work on “Bin Roye,” “Chand Tara,” and “Fairytale,” serving as the showrunner. It’s understood that the project has been commissioned by Netflix’s Middle East and North Africa team.
The production is currently filming in Italy, the U.K., and Pakistan, although a specific streaming date has yet to be revealed.
Farhat Ishtiaq’s literary brilliance has previously found success on the screen with hit serials like “Humsafar,” “Mere Humdum Mere Dost,” “Matae Jaan Hai Tu,” “Diyar-e-Dil,” “Bin Roye,” and “Yaqeen Ka Safar.” Additionally, Netflix’s upcoming series, “Heeramandi,” envisioned by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is set to immerse viewers in the tapestry of pre-independence India, located in Lahore’s Heeramandi region, now within Pakistan’s borders.
Pakistan’s maiden Netflix offering, “Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo,” not only heralds a landmark moment for the streaming giant and Pakistani entertainment but also serves as a bridge connecting diverse global audiences through the universal language of compelling storytelling.
