Director: Mohammadreza Momtaz

Cast: Hamid Lolaiy, Zohreh Hamidi, Houshang Harirchian, Mehran Rajabi, Khashayar Raad

Zendehbad Khodam is a 2017 Iranian comedy film directed by Mohammadreza Momtaz, following a retired teacher who schemes to secure a better future for his daughter — a warm, satirical look at ambition, family loyalty, and the lengths a father will go for the ones he loves.

What is Zendehbad Khodam about?

After years of modest service in the classroom, a retired teacher finds himself at a crossroads. His daughter is of marriageable age, and he is determined to find her a respectable match in the right household. Armed with little more than his wits, his pension papers, and an unwavering belief in his own cleverness, he sets in motion a chain of comic misadventures. Each attempt to pull the right strings leads to fresh complications, drawing in neighbors, relatives, and strangers who have their own agendas. The film keeps the stakes personal and the tone affectionate throughout.

Cast & crew

Director Mohammadreza Momtaz leads an ensemble rooted in beloved Iranian stage and screen talent. Hamid Lolaiy brings warmth and comic timing to the lead role. Zohreh Hamidi, Houshang Harirchian, Mehran Rajabi, Khashayar Raad, Hossein Ghiabi, and Javad Hedayati round out a cast whose chemistry gives the film much of its energy.

Context & significance

Iranian domestic comedies occupy a cherished place in Persian popular culture, and Zendehbad Khodam sits squarely in that tradition — the story of an ordinary man navigating social expectations with humor and heart. For diaspora viewers, films like this carry a familiar texture: the family dinner politics, the gentle class anxieties, the neighborhood gossip that drives plot. Watching a retirement-age protagonist try to outmaneuver life's obstacles resonates deeply with first-generation audiences who remember exactly this kind of determined, resourceful Iranian elder. It is a film that plays best shared with family.

Where & how to watch

Zendehbad Khodam is available on K-Time in its original Persian audio. Watch on your TV, computer, or phone — no VPN required, no geo-blocking, no extra download needed. A K-Time subscription covers the full catalog; cancel anytime.