Hyderabad Metro surprise turns commuting into rom-com

Hyderabad: Hyderabad's first-ever concept-based surprise event has turned a regular metro ride into a scene straight out of a rom-com. A viral video on Instagram shows passengers surprising a woman with flowers, books, and gifts for her birthday, turning her commute into an emotional and heartwarming moment. The woman's genuine reaction to the surprise has captured the hearts of viewers, making the video a hit on social media.

The video has gained significant attention, with many commenting on the delightful surprises and praising the efforts of the team behind the event, @party.cheskoo_. The company specialises in planning unique surprise events, and this metro-based concept has certainly struck a chord with social media users.

The official Twitter account of Hyderabad Metro Rail also joined in the excitement, acknowledging the surprise with a playful post, "When your commute turns into a rom-com! Who needs a movie set when Hyderabad Metro is the scene for love in full bloom? Next stop: Happily Ever After! #LoveInTransit #MetroSurprises."

Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail, Pillagadu Rakhi, founder of the surprise-planning company Party Cheskoo, shared his journey. “I’m a pharmacy student and have worked in the field, but I didn’t find it fulfilling. During the lockdown, I came up with this unique idea. I realised that people are often separated from their loved ones due to distance, and there was a need for instant surprise services to bring a smile to someone's face,” Rakhi said.

The idea took root in Chennai before expanding to Hyderabad in early 2021. Party Cheskoo started out with smaller-scale surprise events and quickly gained traction. “Initially, we began with simple surprises, but after gaining a following, we decided to try something different. In January 2024, we reached 16,000 followers, and that’s when we introduced the metro surprise concept, which costs around ₹6,500,” Rakhi explained.

Rakhi further explained that while they don't typically require permissions for their surprise events, they ensure not to disturb anyone during the process. “We were a little nervous about uploading the video, but when the Metro responded positively three days later, it made us incredibly happy,” Rakhi shared.