No pheras but the party’s real: Inside India’s fake shaadi boom

Jul 12, 2025 | 18:28 IST

From cocktail bars in Pune to rooftop venues in Navi Mumbai and microbreweries in Delhi, shaadi-themed parties like ‘Scam Sangeet’, ‘Fake Indian Wedding’ and ‘Jumme Ki Raat’ are popping up everywhere, each with its own spin

For Gen Z, ticketed mock weddings and sangeets have become the newest way to party

In a few weekends, a lush resort in Karjat will transform into a wedding venue, complete with dhols, a flower shower timed to a baraat’s arrival in a vintage car, and a floating stage across a swimming pool for the bride and groom to exchange garlands amid frenzied cheering. There’ll be joota chhupai games, an awards night, and even paparazzi.

Except, no one’s getting married. At this upcoming two-day ‘shaadi’, there won’t be a priest, pheras or family tensions. Just a resort full of adults in wedding finery pretending to be ‘rishtedaars’ — living out their big-fat-Indian-wedding fantasy minus the paperwork, rituals or awkward ‘beta, when is your turn?’ cross-examination. There’s a bride and groom, yes. But they’ve been handpicked via a contest.

TOI

TOI

No pheras but the party’s real: Inside India’s fake shaadi boom

For Gen Z, ticketed mock weddings and sangeets have become the newest way to party

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TOI

No pheras but the party’s real: Inside India’s fake shaadi boom

For Gen Z, ticketed mock weddings and sangeets have become the newest way to party

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