Director: Marzie Boromand
Cast: Reza Babak, Fatemeh Motamedaria, Razie Boromand, Asghar Faridi, Bahram Shahmohamdloo
Arayeshgah Ziba is a 1990 Iranian family series directed by Marzie Boromand, following the comedic misadventures of a middle-aged barber whose well-meaning friends push him into the turbulent world of courtship — with one rejection after another turning his search for love into an endearing saga of persistence.
What is Arayeshgah Ziba about?
Asad Khomarlou runs a modest barbershop and lives a quiet, routine life — until his circle of friends decides that a man his age ought to be married. Swept along by their enthusiasm, Asad sets out to find a wife, only to discover that every introduction ends in a polite but firm refusal. The series follows him through a series of awkward encounters, social missteps, and small personal revelations as he navigates family expectations and the comedic gap between how he sees himself and how prospective families see him. Each episode peels back another layer of everyday Iranian life, gently poking fun at customs around courtship while keeping genuine warmth for its characters at the center.
Cast & crew
Marzie Boromand directs and her sister Razie Boromand appears among the cast, giving the production a familial intimacy that shows on screen. Reza Babak leads as the hapless Asad, supported by Fatemeh Motamedaria, Asghar Faridi, Bahram Shahmohamdloo, and Roghaye Chehreh Azad, a reliable ensemble whose chemistry anchors the comedy throughout the series.
Context & significance
Made in 1990, Arayeshgah Ziba captures a slice of urban Iranian life that feels both specific and universal — a barbershop as community hub, friends who meddle with affection, and the social choreography of courtship as it played out in Tehran neighborhoods of that era. For diaspora viewers, the show carries the particular warmth of recognizing rituals that no longer surround them daily: the matchmaking visit, the careful politeness that masks outright rejection, the gentle ribbing among lifelong friends. Its family rating means multiple generations can watch together, and for Iranians who left during or after the revolution, revisiting a pre-digital Tehran through this lens can feel both nostalgic and quietly moving.
Where & how to watch
Arayeshgah Ziba is available on K-Time in its original Persian audio. Watch on your browser, smart TV, or phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and no extra download required. Start a subscription and cancel anytime.