Forget Saas-Bahu Dramas, Real Villains Are Indian Relatives"

They don’t live with us, they don’t pay our bills, and yet somehow, Indian relatives feel entitled to opinions about every inch of our lives. From the rishtedar who can't stop asking "Shaadi kab karoge?" to the one who mysteriously appears only to compare your salary with Sharma ji's son, their words leave scars that linger. This article dives deep into the emotional, funny, and real stories of Indian families—a place where the actual villains aren’t wearing makeup like daily soaps but are disguised as "well-wishers.


They start with a sweet, syrupy, "Beta, kitni patli ho gayi hai! Sab thik toh hai na?" But the moment they step out, they call five other relatives to report your weight loss like it's breaking news. These relatives thrive on half-truths and exaggerations. They remember everything—except your achievements. To them, your weight, your skin, your clothes are all public property.


"Sharma ji ka beta toh ab US chala gaya hai." Ah yes, our national yardstick. Whether you're studying literature or coding your heart out, it doesn't matter until you beat Sharma ji's fictional child. They compare marks, jobs, cooking skills, and even how you greet elders. And let’s not forget the ultimate insult: "Tumhari mummy ne kuch nahi sikhaya kya?"


Diwali, Holi, or Rakhi—you show up for sweets and warmth, but they come armed with rishta spreadsheets. “Beta, ab toh age ho gayi hai. Ek rishta dekhein?” Suddenly, your samosa becomes a stress snack. These relatives don’t attend for love or laughter—they come to audit your life. Single? Job change? Still renting? It’s all noted like a crime scene report. Every smile hides a checklist. Sometimes, you wonder if these family functions are just HR reviews disguised as poojas. You brought mithai—they brought judgment.


He’s never read a line about your field, but somehow, he’s the expert. “Beta, journalism mein kya future hai? MBA kar lo na.” He doesn’t see your passion — just a checklist of ‘safe careers’ from the 90s. These uncles aren’t evil; they’re just dangerously loud when they find an audience. That’s when your dreams become punchlines, and your choices their TED Talk content. They speak with such confidence, even you begin to doubt yourself. But here’s the truth: their fear isn’t about your failure — it’s about you choosing a life they never had the courage to imagine


She doesn't need CCTV—her eyes are sharper than any lens, her memory better than Google Photos. She notices the time you got home, who dropped you off, what you wore, and how many times you smiled. But she won’t confront you directly. No, she waits for the perfect moment—like a family wedding or someone’s funeral—to bring up your “activities” mid-biryani or mid-tear. Just when you think you're safe, boom—character assassination over gulab jamun. Her hobby? Turning casual moments into courtroom drama. And somehow, she’s always “just concerned.” Ah, the emotional espionage of Indian relatives—silent, strategic, and sugar-coated.


"Waise tumne toh B.A. hi kiya na? Koi baat nahi, sabko IIT thodi milta hai." It sounds like encouragement, but it cuts like a blade wrapped in bubble wrap. These relatives have mastered the art of backhanded compliments — the kind that smile at your face while poking holes in your confidence. They disguise judgment as concern, sarcasm as support. And somehow, they make you feel small while pretending to uplift you. Their words stay with you longer than they should — not because they mattered, but because they made you question whether you ever did.


"Arey tu wahi hai na. woh Meena ki beti?" And before you can respond—"Nahi? Oh, sorry! Par thoda mota ho gaya hai na?" They don’t remember your name, but your weight gain is etched in their memory like sacred scripture. These are the relatives who vanish for years, only to reappear at weddings and funerals with unsolicited commentary on your looks, job, or love life. No hugs, no warmth—just judgment wrapped in fake concern. They don’t ask how you're doing, but they’ll surely ask, “Shaadi kab karoge?” Because in their world, your flaws are their favorite topic.


Mujhse toh kisi ne poocha hi nahi.” That one line—softly spoken, heavily loaded—can flip any festive mood. Forget to call on her birthday? You're selfish. Didn’t touch her feet at the wedding? You're disrespectful. These relatives aren’t just family—they’re full-time emotional auditors. Every missed call is a personal attack. Every choice is judged. They use guilt like a weapon, nostalgia like bait, and tradition like a shield. You're constantly torn—between living your truth and keeping their scorecards clean. And somehow, you're always the villain in their carefully crafted family saga.


“Aaj kal ke bacche toh muh tod jawab dete hain!” — they say, the moment we try to draw a boundary. But when we politely ask them not to comment on our weight, relationship status, or career, we’re suddenly "ziddi" or "bigdi hui." What they call attitude is actually years of swallowed silence rising up. We're not being rude — we're finally choosing ourselves. It’s not rebellion. It’s survival. Because being the “sanskaari” one came at the cost of our peace for far too long. Respect works both ways — but sadly, not everyone’s ready to receive it.


"Sanskaar bhool gaye ho? Hamare time pe toh..." They don’t see progress; they see rebellion. Whether it's your dress, your friends, or your Instagram post, they turn every life choice into a moral debate. But sanskaar isn’t about rules—it’s about respect, something they forget when they shame you under the guise of tradition.

some genuinely care, others are experts in emotional manipulation. But it’s high time we stop pretending every taunt is just "concern." This Mother’s Day, or any day, let’s remember who really stood by us through thick and thin: our mothers. The rest? They were just side characters with too many dialogues and too little heart. Speak your truth. Love your people. And next time a rishtedar tries to bring you down, smile and say: "Aapke blessings chahiye bas, aur kuch nahi."


Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!