Rishta: Aunties Know Best

RISHTA: AUNTIES KNOW BEST (TM)

A Game of Hidden Agendas and Family Tension...think Mafia, but scarier, because Aunties.

Sara just finished grad school and is home for the summer until she starts her job. Which means if her family doesn't get her engaged to a good man now, they may never.

She has three non-negotiable priorities for her husband. Sara thinks the most important thing is finding her perfect match. 

You are not Sara. You know better.

You are the aunties who have gathered to ensure Sara marries the perfect match for the family. 

Over the course of four rounds, Sara will go on arranged dates that you chaperone. You will share what you know about these eligible suitors to steer this process toward the outcome that serves your particular agenda of what the family needs. If your agenda succeeds, you win. 

At the end of the game, Sara gets engaged. Whether she is engaged to the right someone depends entirely on you. 

Players 4+ | Ages 11+

⚠ CONTENT NOTE This game contains Gossip Cards describing negative traits about fictional suitors, including references to immigration status, family conflict, secret pasts, and readiness for marriage. Some of this content may be close to home for women who have navigated real rishta processes. Please read through the Gossip Cards before playing and substitute any that feel too personal for your table. 

Downloads include print and play cards and icons, rules and set up guide, and game board.

Print Instructions:

Print all assets double-sided. The titles will indicate whether to print on the long-side or short-side. There should be 29 printed pages total (20 for cards and icons, 8 for rules and set up guide, 1 for game board). It is recommended to print on cardstock. For maximum durability, matte laminate them. For maximum cuteness, corner round cut the edges.

New Game Generator:

https://saalimoo.github.io/rishta/

Expansion:

Hard Ole' Auntie Mode includes Agendas with win conditions based on TRAITS (i.e. Arguably Hot, Educated, Good Job, Same Religion, etc.). To keep track of these traits, the expansion comes with grids. In this variation, you have to deduce what characteristics suitors have to know who you want Sara to marry. 

Credits:

Game Design and Writing: Sana Alimohamed

Art Direction and Graphic Design: Divya Tak

Playtesters: Devan, Ashish, Maitreyi, Alissa, Fatma, Prisha, Beca, B, Nujum, Janae, Audrey, Chris, Eshaan, Astro, Liyan, Caroline, Sahal, Ashna, Ray, Yafira, Alanna, Sylvia, Shloka, Ian, Ryan, Olivia, Cathy, Ranjani, Helen, Siddhi, Sofia, Phil, Alan, Patrick, Noah P, Nikolai, Jasmine, Anika, Justin, Ryan, Akhil, Vaishnavi, Sanjana, Sakina, Anjum, Zoeb, Sakib, Ibrahim, Rios, Ali , Sharon, Christina, Sharleen, Ellen, Nasif, Dean, Noah D, Callie,  Adrian, Tanika, Mashaal, Ridha, Malika, Fozia, Monazza, Javeria, Mari, Correne, Saleha, Ambreen, Sobia

Inspiration: Mafia, Werewolf, Marrying Mr. Darcy, Clue, Mastermind, Secret Hitler

Special Thanks: Chris Toh, Omi Bahuguna, Risa Puno, Rita Orlov, Peter Droste, Erika Svanoe, Shing Yin Kor, Neeti Sivakumar, Christina Kaputsos, Arooba, Nureen, Maitreyi, Diandra, Charu, Mariyah, Divya, Zinobia, Shammi, Naqia, Ruqaiya, Ikra, Vreeti, Alishah, Naaziah, Sai, Mansi, Smruti, Sidikha, Sanjana, Vaish, Ashna, Prachi, John, Prisha, Ashish, Sanat

© 2026, Sana Alimohamed