Viral Video of Bride Meeting Ex Before Wedding Revealed as Fictional

A widely shared social media video purportedly showing a bride-to-be meeting her former boyfriend hours before her wedding has been confirmed to be a scripted production, not an authentic event as many viewers believed.

The emotionally charged clip, which gained significant traction online, features a tearful young woman identified as “Shreya” being driven to meet her ex-boyfriend. In the video, a friend accompanying her explains, “She asked me to help her meet her boyfriend just once. She couldn’t marry him because of family pressure.”

The video quickly spread across platforms after an X (formerly Twitter) user shared it with the provocative commentary: “She is getting married but still went to meet her ex-boyfriend. There are many such cases in society where girls meet their ex before marriage and some even after marriage. The past always matters.”

Several mainstream media outlets, including News 18 and Amar Ujala, initially reported on the incident as if it were authentic, further amplifying its reach and perceived legitimacy.

However, an investigation by India Today’s Fact Check team has conclusively determined that the video was entirely scripted. Through reverse image searches of key frames from the viral clip, fact-checkers traced the content to an Instagram account operated by Aarav Mavi, a content creator who specializes in dramatized relationship stories.

Mavi’s Instagram account (@chalte_phirte098) features a revealing bio that states: “Turning heartbreaks into timeless stories. Every shattered heart has a story. Share yours with me!” This tagline hints at the fictional nature of his content, which typically dramatizes emotional relationship scenarios.

Further evidence of the video’s staged nature emerged when investigators discovered other content on Mavi’s account. In one post, he explicitly solicits stories from followers that he can transform into dramatic reels. Other videos on his profile show similar scripted scenarios centered on love and relationship themes.

The investigation also uncovered behind-the-scenes content where production equipment like cameras and lighting setups are visible, confirming the professional production values behind what was presented as spontaneous footage.

Additional confirmation came through Mavi’s second Instagram account, where he identifies himself as an aspiring actor. This profile includes a highlights section labeled “shoot mode” containing images captured during various production shoots.

When contacted directly by India Today’s Fact Check team, Mavi confirmed that the viral video was indeed scripted and not documentation of a real incident.

This case highlights the growing challenge of distinguishing between authentic content and dramatic reenactments on social media platforms. The rapid circulation of the video and its acceptance as genuine by established news outlets demonstrates how emotionally resonant content can bypass critical evaluation, even among professional media organizations.

The incident also reflects the public’s fascination with relationship dynamics and pre-wedding anxiety, themes that clearly struck a chord with viewers regardless of the content’s authenticity. Mavi’s business model of dramatizing relationship stories suggests there’s a substantial audience for this type of emotional content, whether presented as fiction or reality.

As social media continues to blur the lines between authentic documentation and dramatized content, this incident serves as a reminder for viewers to approach emotionally charged viral videos with healthy skepticism, particularly when they lack clear attribution or context.