^Yup, that’s emotional blackmail…where he gives her the “option” to do whatever she wants…but it comes with a heavy price. Right now, he’s emotionally blackmailing her with ending the rishta…tomorrow he could use divorce threats as part of his emotional blackmailing.
Today, he’s preventing her from attending parties because some girl or the other that he dislikes might be there. Tomorrow he may prevent her from seeing her own family.
The in-laws may be very sweet, but it’s him that she’ll be married to and will deal with on a closer level. I think your friend should surprise the guy by actually acting on his emotional blackmail and ending this rishta. She should move on with her life as opposed to making excuses for him and hoping that she’ll be able to change him. He’s got major control/insecurity issues…and sounds creepy.