Matrimonial site 'objectifying' brides turns out to be Gul Panag's social media experiment: Twitterati first offer outrage, then plaudits

Twitterati were outraged after a matrimonial website claiming to offer “brides who will meet your demands” hit the headlines. What they didn’t know is that it was all part of a social media experiment by actress Gul Panag and a TV channel.

The website — mysonikudi.com — categorised brides into 12 bizarre criteria such as 5-star etiquette, black beauty, agyakaari, sanskaari, bride school trained, and NRI ready.

Panag voiced concern on Monday over My Soni Kudi, which assured prospectors that each bride “passes through rigorous layers of quality checks pertaining to aesthetics, skills-sets and behavioral patterns.”

https://t.co/bGpzq4OD1k
So, a portal that has brides on display😶
Pick from Sanskari, Agyakaari, NRI-ready, etc!
If this doesn’t make us cringe, what will? Why is it expected out of women to fit into these 'types'? Do we really need to change just to get married? #ChangeHerNot pic.twitter.com/9uwTjvRcSi

— Gul Panag (@GulPanag) January 29, 2018

On Tuesday, Panag revealed that the website was a fake and part of an experiment with Zee TV to “mirror a harsh social reality.”

Glad to see the outrage on https://t.co/em9pblO0Np. While the site isn't real, the issue is. It was a social media experiment by @zeetv & me, to mirror a harsh social reality-unfair expectations from girls to change themselves for marriage. Time for a conversation #ChangeHerNot https://t.co/tpcnSIcXnB

— Gul Panag (@GulPanag) January 30, 2018

However, in the meantime, the website received severe backlash on Twitter with hundreds of people tweeting along with the hashtag ChangeHerNot.

The claim of providing “made-to-measure” brides was soundly mocked on social media:

So now there is actual organized supply of ‘made-to-order’ brides! Still can’t believe what I saw! Why do we expect all this from women? #ChangeHerNot @MySoniKudi. https://t.co/vGqt4kkkXG

— Sushil K Kashyap (@SushilKashyap01) January 29, 2018

How pathetic of the mentality? @http://mysonikudi.com/about-us/ ...look at the filters they offer..i'm surprised and baffled with the profile of the ppl on this rubbish site..#UtterDisgrace.. #ChangeHerNot pic.twitter.com/ztw8XR0H7W

— Madhuri Patwal (@Maddhy) January 29, 2018

Hey @MySoniKudi, I have a 4 year old niece. I fear for her when I see morons like you who supply "made-to-measure-brides"! What kind of a world do you want to create! Your site almost made me throw up! These are human beings you are talking about not things! #ChangeHerNot

— Dr. Anshul Trivedi (@anshultrivedi47) January 29, 2018

While the website remained active post the revelation, Panag’s ’experiment’ was applauded on Twitter: 

she doesn’t! #ChangeHerNot, an amazing social experiment by @zeetv Here’s where we draw a line

— Suvam Das (@Chintud34269620) January 30, 2018

A big thanks to @ZeeTV for making everyone aware to talk against such problem. We should change our mindset @MySoniKudi #ChangeHerNot

— ꕷ𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖗 Ƥ𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖗 ❁ (@Sa9arParmar) January 30, 2018

The website showcased the harsh reality. That is how most people look at marriage. Perhaps it will instigate change! #ChangeHerNot https://t.co/BGh87oA08c

— Chirag Gupta (@ChiragG14) January 30, 2018