Arranged marriages conducted mostly or entirely over video calls have become common among NRI families, especially when the two families live in different countries and cannot easily travel for an in-person first meeting. A family in Pune and a family in Chicago can’t just drop by each other’s homes for chai and a conversation. The logistics of international travel, visas, and time off work mean that video calls have replaced the traditional “family visit” for early introductions. That shift changes the sequence of how things happen, including where kundli matching fits.
Where kundli matching fits in the process
Many families run kundli matching before the first video call, as a filter alongside photos and biodata. A poor match on paper sometimes ends the conversation before either side invests time; a good match gives both families a reason to move forward with introductions.
This is a practical decision, not a rigid rule. Some families treat the kundli score as a hard gate: below 18 out of 36, they won’t proceed. Others use it as one signal among several. I’ve seen families with a 32/36 score decide not to move forward after the first video call because the conversation didn’t click, and families with a 21/36 score happily go ahead because everything else lined up. The kundli report gives you data. It doesn’t make the decision for you.
What the report tells you and what it doesn’t
Kundli matching covers guna milan and doshas. It compares Moon signs, nakshatras, and the eight koota categories to produce a compatibility score. What it says nothing about is personality, communication style, career ambitions, views on finances, willingness to relocate, or how someone handles disagreements. Those things only surface through actual conversation, whether in person or over video.
A common mistake is treating a high guna score as proof that the match will work. It’s not. A 30/36 score means the two charts align well on certain traditional parameters. It doesn’t mean two people will enjoy talking to each other or agree on where to raise children. Treat the score as an input, not an answer.
The video call itself
If the kundli report looks reasonable, the next step is usually a video call between the two people, sometimes with parents present for the first few minutes, sometimes not. A few things that help these calls go well: pick a time that isn’t midnight for either side (use a timezone converter, not mental math), keep the first call short (30 to 45 minutes is plenty), and don’t try to cover everything. The goal of the first call is figuring out whether you want a second call, not deciding whether to get married.
A practical order
- Exchange birth details and run the kundli matching tool
- If the report looks reasonable, move to video introductions between the two people
- Only after both agree the conversation went well should families discuss muhurat and wedding planning
Rushing from step 1 to step 3 is where problems start. Families sometimes get excited by a strong kundli score and jump straight to wedding logistics before the two people have had a real conversation. Slow down. The kundli match opened the door. The people still need to walk through it.
For more on running this process when the families live in different countries, see the guide for Indians abroad.