REAL REASON: Why OYO banned rooms to unmarried couples in Meerut!
I did not get OYO banning rooms for unmarried couples in Meerut, initially 🙏🙏
I did not get OYO banning rooms for unmarried couples in Meerut, initially 🙏🙏
But two days ago, I spoke to one of OYO’s senior-most former employees about the whole saga (he is a part of my WhatsApp community).
I learned a ton of dirty stuff about how Meerut’s new thriving industry which had landed OYO in trouble.
Sooner than later, OYO would have been in a lot of legal soup 📛📛
Here’s all that I learned.
..
See, OYO’s move is a strategic response to a particular issue in Meerut.
Over the last 5yrs, the city has become the epicentre for India's burgeoning erotic film and show industry.
-> It has transformed into a fertile ground for small OTT platforms like Ullu, Kooku, DesiFlix, Hot Shots, and Primeflix to produce content like "Wife in a Metro," "Kavita Bhabhi," "Call Centre," and "Mona Home Delivery" and so on and on and on
-> And given the nature of such productions, in a bid to keep the budgets in check, many of such films are shot in local 2/3-star hotels, which are mostly associated with OYO.
The locals obviously are well aware 📛📛
As a result, their anger against OYO was only seething and rising with repeated demands for a crackdown on the company.
The company could face significant trouble if it were seen as enabling or profiting from such content, particularly given the conservative social fabric of many Indian cities.
And to avoid being seen as a facilitator with facilitating an industry that could attract legal nightmare.
Thus, the company had no option but to take steps which would distance itself 🙏🙏
..
I know, the move is restrictive and can cause genuine unmarried couples a lot of trouble.
But for OYO, this is a protective measure. Plus, it aligns with the broader vision to ensure a safe and family-friendly environment across its properties.
In essence, OYO's policy isn't about dictating personal relationships but about managing a business environment in a way that respects local sensibilities and laws, while also protecting the company from being inadvertently linked to industries it does not wish to support or be associated with.
That’s why, as I said - I SUPPORT OYO’s MOVE 🙏🙏
What’s your view?
Best,
Jayant Mundhra