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By Mansvini Kaushik
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Jul 7, 2025
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Voices of influence
When Materialist dropped this summer, its slick portrayal of Western matchmaking—peppered with introspection, individual agency, and subtle class dynamics—sparked heated online debate. Audiences were divided: some praised its frank authenticity, others lamented the glossy, western-centric lens on finding “the one.” The film’s narrative, centered on choice over tradition, stood in stark contrast to India’s more familial and class-bound process.
In India, matchmaking remains deeply interwoven with parental approval, caste and community considerations, and, often, matchmaking professionals balancing discretion with centuries-old social hierarchies.
So we sat down with Sima Taparia, Mumbai’s most well-known matchmaker (and the face behind Netflix’s hit Indian Matchmaking), to peek under the veil: how does her practice evolve when Western individualism, diaspora clients, and the glittering world of HNIs rub shoulders with Indian tradition?
Taparia starts with emphasizing that her matchmaking began in 2005, long before Netflix’s impetus. Her own arranged marriage (1983) was orchestrated by family, “my aunt was a cupid,” she says, but as relatives retreated from matchmaking, she stepped in professionally. “It is a service like any other, caterer, decorator,” she explained, emphasizing that privacy is paramount. “Profiles are not leaked … people come to me for secrecy.” Since the show aired, enquiries “increased many folds,”
She underlines a universal truth: “People come with their list of expectations,” be it from friends, family, or Bollywood. The challenge? Convincing clients to lower the bar. “Be happy when 60–70% is met,” she advises—a line resonating powerfully online. For many, this reframing of “perfection” as an unattainable myth could be both pragmatic and unsettling.
Modern youth, old-school compromises
Taparia observes that “today’s youth are educated, focused, and financially independent. They want everything in a person—which is not possible.” And while that empowerment is progress, she also flags what she believes is a lack of patience. “Now a days the youth have low patience … more divorces.” She emphasizes the role of horoscope compatibility and, sometimes, “a good courtship” in avoiding breakdowns.
In HNI circles, wealth hardly disparages, it’s assumed. “HNIs try to match with other HNIs—thinking is similar, social circles similar.” Dowry is dismissed; grandeur is celebrated. “All they want is a wedding for guests to remember”: lavish feasts, elaborate decor, multi-day ceremonies.
Taparia acknowledges that while emotional intelligence and professional ambition are desirable, the youth’s impatience leads to rising divorce rates, even after a decade of marriage, necessitating second marriages or companion-seeking. Yet for her, arranged marriages remain central. Family engagement in the process ensures support during friction: “In this type of marriage … the family is there to help.”
Despite global exposure, Taparia continues to work “within religion/community lines”—Hindu, same food habits, same festivals, same social circles. She believes that familiarity fosters satisfaction and ease—even for diaspora clients in the US, UK, Middle East, or Israel, where Indian matchmaking traditions still thrive. Her emphasis on grand, memorable weddings—replete with lavish spreads and elaborate decor—raises questions about whether spectacle is starting to overshadow substance. Taken together, her views reflect a worldview deeply rooted in hierarchy, where wealth, social networks, and family involvement still take precedence over emotional readiness or modern ideals of partnership.
Tradition in Transition
From Materialist’s independent journey to Taparia’s traditional route, one theme emerges: agency vs. community. For diaspora youth, the negotiation is lived in private chats and dating apps. For Taparia, it’s choreographed in conference rooms, spreadsheets, and a joint born of compromise.
As Indian matchmaking ventures into Netflix and the world beyond, practitioners like Taparia straddle a dichotomy: the modern, global client—and the enduring pull of caste, culture, and class. Her counsel may be controversial—“settle for 60 %,” “seek extravagance,” “embrace arranged marriage”—but it holds sway, because for millions, matchmaking remains less about finding a soulmate and more about finding a socially sanctioned life partner.
In a world that oscillates between Materialist’s individualism and India’s collectivism, Taparia remains unapologetic: she is all about legacy—with a glossy, global twist.
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By Mansvini Kaushik
Mansvini Kaushik is the Editor-in-Chief of Indulge Newsroom, the editorial division of Indulge Global. A seasoned business and investigative journalist, she brings years of experience from Forbes India, where she honed her craft in high-impact storytelling. With a deep-rooted passion for luxury and culture, Mansvini founded Candle Magazine before taking the helm at Indulge Newsroom. She now leads the publication with a vision to redefine luxury journalism in India.
