'Groom has to survive grenades too': Netizens trolls Hina Afridi over Peshawar weddings claim

Pakistani actress Hina Afridi has stirred debate online after claiming that in some parts of Peshawar, a unique — and intense — wedding tradition exists.

Speaking on Tabish Hashmi Show, she said that when the groom arrives with the wedding procession, the bride’s family fires gunshots. According to her, if the groom gets scared and steps back, the bride is not given to him.

The claim quickly went viral — but not in the way one might expect. Instead of curiosity, it was met with widespread disbelief.

Many social media users from Peshawar outright rejected the idea. One user commented, “Peshawar mai bachpan se rehte howe, first time suna.” Another wrote bluntly, “Jhoot, yeh to main ne first time suna.”

As the debate grew, the internet did what it does best — turned it into comedy.

In one viral roast video, an apparently Pakhtoon creator herself took the claim to absurd extremes, joking that the bride’s family actually throws a grenade at the groom’s party upon arrival. If they survive, the “second test” involves firing three bullets near his heart before the nikkah to check his courage. And if he passes? The bride gifts him an AK-47.

The exaggerated take has left netizens in splits, with many using humor to call out what they believe is a baseless or exaggerated claim.

While celebratory gunfire has been reported in various regions and events, many users stressed that portraying such extreme “tests” as a cultural norm can be misleading.

For now, what started as a casual TV show anecdote has turned into a full-blown online debate — with equal parts confusion, criticism, and comedy.