On Valentine's Day, ‘Rent A Boyfriend for Rs 389’ posters in Bengaluru spark controversy

Bengaluru has become the latest city to witness the growing trend of renting partners, a phenomenon popular in countries like China, Japan, and Thailand. Recently, posters advertising a ‘Rent A Boyfriend’ service have surfaced in multiple areas, including Jayanagar, Banashankari, and BDA complexes, grabbing public attention and sparking debate.

The posters promote a service allowing individuals to rent a boyfriend for a day at Rs 389. A scannable QR code on the advertisement invites people to explore the offer, with the tagline, “This Valentine’s Day, Rent A Boyfriend, Scan Me.” Reports suggest that such services see increased demand during Valentine’s Week, as individuals seek partners for social gatherings or companionship.

However, the emergence of these posters has triggered backlash, with some Bengaluru residents taking to social media to condemn the initiative. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) have tagged the Bengaluru Police, calling for strict action against what they perceive as a cultural threat.

This is not the first instance of such services appearing in India. In 2018, a Mumbai-based app offered similar rentals, even posting job listings specifying physical attributes for potential boyfriends. By 2022, reports indicated that similar services had reached Bengaluru and spread to other metro cities.

Authorities are yet to respond to the controversy, as discussions on the ethics and implications of such services continue.