Viral 'rent-a-boyfriend' service in Delhi starting at ₹1,500 sparks internet frenzy: 'Kya bakwas hai'

Japan’s viral ‘rent-a-boyfriend’ concept is seemingly available in India. The Delhi-based Instagram creator shared the news and posted a video of her “renting a boyfriend” from the website to spend the day with him at the mall.

Rent a friend in Delhi

User Isha Bhalla took to Instagram and launched a video documenting her experience. She hired a male companion from Kopartner.in, a platform offering escort and assistance services. Although the woman called it a ‘friend rental’ service, the website didn’t mention anything specific.

In the video, Bhalla explained the service. She said one is required to create a profile on the site, which offers services such as elder care, hangout, clubs, movie partner, shopping buddy, medical support, domestic help and travel partner. The costs of these services differ from each other. However, the initial range is between ₹1,000 a ₹1,500 for selected services.

After Bhallo filled in the details, she booked a companion online. She met him at a pre-arranged location before they headed to the mall. She claimed the man helped her shop, carried her bag in the mall and listened to her. She added that he even tried to comfort her when she got upset talking about her ex-boyfriend. He tried to cheer her up with jokes.

“He helped me with the shopping, even though he tasted awful, I still put up with it,” she said jokingly.

The creator called the service similar to meeting and meeting a friend or partner.

She paid him for his service before leaving.

Creator shares his experience of renting a friend in Delhi.(Instagram/ @ishabhallaa)

“KoPartner on Rent for all Social and Lifestyle,” her post read.

Netizens react

The video drew mixed reactions on the Internet. While many were shocked to see this concept in India, a few joke about it. Some people also shared their doubts about the services.

Among them, the user wrote in the comments: “Ye konsi generation me paida ho gya (what generation have we reached).”

“Fake hain, koi bi pese mat lgana (It’s fake. Don’t invest your money in it),” warned another.

“How do I apply for it,” someone else joked.

One criticized: “Berozgari at the top (unemployment at the top).”

Another said incredulously, “Kya bakwas hai (what nonsense).

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Kopartner.in is an online platform offering services like Movie Companions and Club Meetups ₹2000 per hour. Cost of shopping buddy services ₹1,200 per hour while Travel partner services are listed at ₹2500 per hour. Elderly care, household help and general consultations start at ₹1000 per hour.

These services are said to be available in various parts of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Noida, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.

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“Our platform connects you with verified professional KoPartners who provide secure, consent-first services. Whether you are looking for a social support service near me in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or any other city, KoPartner will ensure quality professional support,” reads the official website.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Live Mint could not independently verify the claims and does not endorse them.)