There are a variety of applications to encourage dating among people, however, a Mumbai-based application is changing the game with its newest application for depressed people. The application called Rent A Boyfriend allows girls to have a partner by their side to help them deal with depression for a day. The initiative, however, does not include females as the idea of renting girls, does not sound correct, especially in India.
According to a various media reports, girls can hire the boyfriend for movie, lunch date or even dinner. The hire is not just for dates but also for emotional support when the girl is sad through help her through the situation. The application has been developed by 29-year-old Kaushal Prakash who insists that the meetings will be purely platonic and will not be sexual encounters with the person. He came up with the idea of the app after suffering from depression himself.
While the website shows males in the age group of 20-25, it also has a toll-free helpline number where people can consult psychiatrists. According to the website, women can choose and rent celebrities for Rs 3,000, or a model for up to Rs 2,000, and even a commoner (aam aadmi) for just Rs 300-400 per hour. It also has a few 55-year-old boyfriends for people.