Marriage is serious business. So, if you’re looking for a rishta for yourself, you need to take it seriously. By seriously, I mean you need to go beyond the “religion, caste, business, height, weight” criteria and think of the real stuff. It is so easy for a man to say the right things and hide his brightest red flags till the shaadi. Your parents will do all the background checks etc, but you need to be more vigilant. Savdhaan raho, satark raho, a life full of resentment se bacho. I have seen my fair share of good marriages that make you feel warm inside just looking at the couple and bad shaadis that make you panic even though they don’t affect your life at all. So, I know what I’m talking about, bachche. Here are the red flags in arranged marriages to watch out for in 2025 if you’ve been wondering how the rishta process works.

He cried while watching Saiyaara

This mean he’s still a teenager at heart, and unless you’ve birthed one, you don’t have to raise one. Which is what you’ll be doing if you marry this man-child. Sensitive men are great partners, but not those who cry at films marketed to lovesick, delulu kids. Do you really want to wait for him to grow up? Or would you rather spend your life with a man who cries for legitimate reasons, like a three-legged puppy crossing the road?

He records everything he does

Going out for coffee? It’s on his stories. Meeting to shop? He’s taking a selfie. Watching a new show together? A one-word review is on his stories before you even look away from the screen. This man doesn’t need a rishta, bachche. He needs an unlimited data plan. It might look cute to you in the beginning but this is one of the biggest red flags to look out for in 2025. Everything you do together will be up for public consumption because that’s just what he does. Yes, even fights and arguments. Soch lo if you want to be content rather than content.

Think you’re being too harsh? Don’t worry, that is just how the rishta process works, bachche. He and his family probably discussed what colour your babies would be, so it’s okay for you to be harsh.

He thinks feminism is going too far these days

“Mil toh gaye rights, aur kitna chahiye?” “Who is talking about men’s rights? Men are the real victims now” “She looks like she was asking for it. Why play the victim card now?”. If this sounds familiar, block him now. Yeh common sense honi chahiye but I know girls can go a little cuckoo when they see a man doing the bare minimum. Conditioning keh lo ya brainwashing, same hi hai. If you’re here reading this, I already know you’re a smart woman. Do you really think you can spend your life with a man who thinks feminism is everything that’s wrong with the world? Do you really think you can vow your love and loyalty to someone who won’t think twice before blaming you if a man attacks you on the road?

He looks at his phone when you’re talking

This is the epitome of disrespect in everyday life, bachche. Disrespect is not just speaking rudely or using abusive language. It’s also making you feel that whatever is on his phone deserves more attention than you. A momentary distraction is fine, but if he’s scrolling through reels and WhatsApp groups while you’re talking, he doesn’t deserve to hear another word from you. Step out right now and never look back. Once again, that’s just how the rishta process works.

He doesn’t get along with his sister

This can be one of the biggest red flags in arranged marriages to look out for in 2025. Why doesn’t he get along with his sister? Is it because she’s a terrible person or is it because she calls out his problematic behaviour? Either way, not getting along with his sister is a sign of trouble for you. The best way to figure out how big this problem could be is to speak to his sister directly. A smart woman will know whose side to take. As a bonus, ask his mother what she thinks of this feud. If she is quick to blame her daughter and is near-reverential about her son, bas tu bhaag, Milkha.

If you don’t see any of these red flags in your rishta, and you still have a nagging feeling in your stomach that something isn’t right, call it off, bachche. Because the only thing you can trust fully and completely in the whole rishta process is your gut.

Related: Things To Watch Out For In Arranged Marriage Meetings: Stay Safe, Girls