'Indian Matchmaking' is the latest show Twitter can't get over

Twitter users cannot decide if they love the show or absolutely hate it

It's not news that colourism, sexism and misogyny are deeprooted in desi culture. What's even more common is that the aforementioned traits are even basis for marriages in Indian, Pakistani households. The recent Netflix production, Indian Matchmaking is the living, breathing proof of how toxic desi marriage culture really is.

However, Twitter cannot decide if it loves the show or absolutely hates it.

Indian Matchmaking revolves around a bunch of NRI adults roped in by a Rishta aunty, Sima Taparia, to find them their perfect matches. While it is pretty evident of how the whole process of an arranged marriage plays out, what the audience didn't really have to see was how this dark reality get represented on Netflix and beamed to streaming devices across the world.

“How the hell did Netflix produce a program like Indian Matchmaking? It is wrong on so many levels. Some of these things are appalling - sexism, classism. I, however, cannot stop watching it,” read a tweet. “Yes, I’m going to watch every episode of this show. I already have too much to say about this. Indian Matchmaking,” wrote another, sharing a clip of a particularly bratty contestant Aparna being her usual self, wondering if she has to ‘see her husband all the time’.

“This show on Netflix Indian Matchmaking is so cringe,” wrote one viewer. “It’s everything about Indian culture I hate and I’m so glad I stood up for myself to be with someone outside of that culture and who loves me FOR ME and not just cause I’m ‘successful or pretty’.”

This show on Netflix #IndianMatchmaking is so cringey. It’s everything about indian culture I hate and I’m so glad I stood up for myself to be with someone outside of that culture and who loves me FOR ME and not just cause I’m “successful or pretty”

— Priyanka Bhakta (@Priyankiee) July 16, 2020

Another tweeted: “So we not gonna address the constant and blatant colourism in Indian Matchmaking? Okay, cool. Carry on.”

So we not gonna address the constant and blatant colourism in #IndianMatchmaking? Okay, cool. Carry on.

— Bianca Sidhu (@bsidhu) July 16, 2020

"Couldn't watch more than 5 minutes of Indian Matchmaking," said one more user. "Who in their right mind wants to be reminded of that hellhole? It needs to come with a trigger warning."

Couldn't watch more than 5 minutes of 'Indian Matchmaking'. Who in their right mind wants to be reminded of that hellhole? It needs to come with a trigger warning.

— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) July 17, 2020

Another user shared, "The reason arranged marriage is predominantly a "Desi" thing is that it is rooted in caste. It's not about finding love, it's about keeping the bloodline "pure" or some other such nonsense. This institution needs to die, not be given a Netflix special."

The reason arranged marriage is predominantly a "Desi" thing is because it is rooted in caste. Its not about finding love, it's about keeping the bloodline "pure" or some other such nonsense. This institution needs to die, not be given a Netflix special. #IndianMatchmaking

— Uday (@UdaySRana) July 17, 2020

"Watched Indian Matchmaking to confirm what I thought I knew about sexism, casteism, and classism in Indian/Indian American marriage markets," penned a tweep. "Sadly, confirmations confirmed. Go on now, tell me about how you want someone not too dark. Caste doesn't matter but must fit our culture."

Watched #IndianMatchmaking to confirm what I thought I knew about sexism, casteism, and classism in Indian/Indian American marriage markets. Sadly, confirmations confirmed. Go on now, tell me about how you want someone not too dark. Caste doesn't matter but must fit our culture.

— Bhumi (@bhumipurohit) July 17, 2020

A few, are also hoping for Indian Matching making to ultimately be revealed as a satire on arranged marriages. “I can see how Indian Matchmaking is problematic. But I think it’s also fascinating in the way that it shows how for most people the opposite of loneliness is marriage. Nothing in-between,” wrote one. “Glad Netflix made this show Indian Matchmaking so the whole world can know how crazy this country is. It’s really hard to tell whether some parts of it are real or parody.”

Indian Matchmaking arrived on Netflix on 16 July and was promoted as a show that helps single millennials “find true love”.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.