The list of expectations that Pakistanis have from their dulhans is never-ending. Apart from being strikingly fair, adorned in the most dazzling jewels, and showing the utmost grace while being crushed by the weight of societal expectations the heavy kaam wala duppatta, the perfect Pakistani bride must constantly have her gaze transfixed to the floor while maintaining the slightest hint of a smile. Not too much, of course, because no woman is allowed to be THAT happy on her wedding day.
You might think that I’m exaggerating, and while it is true that things might be slightly better now than they were a few decades ago for dulhans, we still live in a country where brides get trolled for laughing too much on their freaking wedding day. Yep. That’s a thing that happened.
And now, our awaam seems to have found a new target. Just have a look at this video doing rounds on the internet featuring a beautiful bride receiving affection on her wedding day which seems to have infuriated the general public.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXA7-Rpvqt/?igshid=1j30x8wyod1cg
The video in questions features a bride who looks slightly alarmed for a second as an older female relative caresses her head, inherently risking the integrity of the sleek bridal updo. However, the dulhan quickly breaks into a smile after this interaction and just strokes the top of her hair to ensure that her hairstyle is still maintained.
Seems harmless and innocent enough, right?
Yeah, wrong. Apparently, the millisecond of shock on the bride’s face has made a lot of people on the internet very angry.
Bride's reaction is so disturbing yr🤐😪😤 https://t.co/FEtWq6mnrD
— alprazolam (@so0rajDukhi) September 4, 2020
Apparently, if you care about your hair on your wedding day, you risk invoking the wrath of the internet and must feel ASHAMED.
https://twitter.com/glamsoul_/status/1301787615285383169?s=20
Besharam https://t.co/L71IPl3hQ2
— Khizer Masood (@KhizerMia) September 4, 2020
Ok, so…
Hair are permanent parents are temporary https://t.co/NMtRc3zD4D
— Rafay 🇵🇸 (@xgboostin) September 4, 2020
WHICH ONE IS IT?? WHAT IS TEMPORARY AND WHAT ISN’T? MAKE UP YOUR MINDS.
Your makeup is temporary but the affection and prayers of your elders are permanent. So no need to get irritated you dumbo !!! https://t.co/CubNdWTNmD
— حسان (@hassaan_xD) September 4, 2020
People are PERSONALLY offended.
I find it highly offensive when they shy away from else's giving pyar on head. https://t.co/7qPukcg8wQ
— – (@jackintrouble) September 3, 2020
However, for some this entire interaction has them recounting how they would behave in this situation.
Hate people who touch faces specially if brides when they know how annoying it is. Is ne toh phir bhi kuch nahi kaha https://t.co/0M3NlWBQ9p
— Meph⚓ (@UnitedsFreak) September 4, 2020
Some very strange revelations were made…
https://twitter.com/gleekhan/status/1301839811934932992?s=20
Um…that is not a normal response, pal.
https://twitter.com/kitabisundi/status/1301835556184363008?s=20
Khair, a lot of us were taken back to ”our puff” era.
Do y’all remember that puff era (2010-2013??) where we’d all get bangs cut only to puff them up on the top of our heads and secure them with bobby pins??? Aur phir older relatives sar pe hath rakh ke phuss kardete thay 😖😖🥴🥴🥴 https://t.co/zvcTmK4NwD
— فضا (@purpleside24) September 4, 2020
RIP to all our flattened puffs. Gone but not forgotten.
BAALOUN ka mazaak nai hai, okay?!
Hate it when someone touches my hair! https://t.co/P3mOf1bZ6u
— Raheel Pasha (@SyedRaheel98) September 4, 2020
For a few, the video was simply a chance to reminisce about the love displayed by their grandparents.
https://twitter.com/Meena_Harker/status/1301829104875040769?s=20
Amidst the barrage of hate, many rushed in to defend the bride’s reaction and were quick to call out the baseless hate she was receiving.
https://twitter.com/SayAimen/status/1301804422729736193?s=20
Someone rightfully pointed out how brides spend a fortune on getting ready for their wedding and it makes sense for them to be hyper-aware of her appearance.
https://twitter.com/theD_inDNA/status/1301796467007422465?s=20
In fact, even a friend of the bride personally spoke out how everyone was taking the video in a negative light, wrongfully.
Okay, the stuff I’m seeing on this post is absurd. I know Sophiya personally. This is her mom showing her love – whom she loves so much. She literally came back from abroad for her family.
Stop talking shit about things yk nothing about. https://t.co/NJ0uyrr8fD— Tehreem 🐉 (@tehreem_121) September 4, 2020
What’s absurd about this entire takedown of the bride’s character and her dynamic with the relative in question is that the video was actually posted by her a month ago where she made fun of this light-hearted moment from her engagement.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXA7-Rpvqt/?igshid=1j30x8wyod1cg
It’s unfortunate what was just a fun little clip that was celebrating an important moment of her life has now materialized to invoking so much negativity online. Ironically enough, the bride’s reaction which has so many people infuriated on behalf of the woman in the video?
Well, the woman in the video i.e her mother had commented on the original video how she was so emotional on that day and didn’t even NOTICE.
Let’s spare the vitriol for actual atrocities next time, yeah guys? Someone caring about their hair really isn’t the tragedy you’re all making it out to be.
Luckily, the bride in question, Sophiya Saleem Khan, isn’t fazed by all the hatred that’s been coming her way. In an exclusive to MangoBaaz, she recounts:
”I found the meme very funny! The haters are just doing what they know best.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6sdvtGpoFx/?igshid=a3bviynnyd1d
Phew. Okay, so all’s well that ends well. We’re glad you’re not letting this affect you personally, Sophiya, and wish you all the best.
What’s your take on this? Let us know!
