April Fool's Day 2019: From Ola Restrooms to GoT themed OYO, here are some unbelievable pranks by Indian startups

Apart from hearing some rib-tickling funny stories of your near ones falling prey to pranks (even you sometimes), the day also brings out some best and creative marketing gimmicks by popular brands and start-ups.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 01 Apr 2019 04:57 PM (IST)

April Fool's Day 2019: From Ola Restrooms to GoT themed OYO, here are some unbelievable pranks by Indian startups April Fool's Day 2019: From Ola Restrooms to GoT themed OYO, here are some unbelievable pranks by Indian startups

Just like last year, several Indian companies went all out this year too. (Image: Getty)

Snapdeal fooled customers by tweeting about Snapdeal smart shirt

Ola pranked consumers by taking about Ola Restrooms

OYO said it will provide a GoT-themed OYO to its customers

April Fool's Day 2019: Er, the April Fool’s Day is here – an annual celebration commemorated on April 1 by playing jokes, pranks and spreading hoaxes. The jokes and people who fall for them are called ‘April fools’. The day has been celebrated for several decades by different cultures and its exact origin still remains a mystery. Apart from hearing some rib-tickling funny stories of your near ones falling prey to pranks (even you sometimes), the day also brings out some best and creative marketing gimmicks by popular brands and start-ups. This is largely done with the purpose of engagement by taking customers by shock and also tickling their funny bones. The trend is slowly being a tradition in India’s corporate scene as well. Inspired initially by tech conglomerate Google’s legendary April Fools’ antics, several Indian companies are also pulling up elaborate schemes to fool unsuspecting customers and increase engagement. Just like last year, several Indian companies went all out this year too in order to come up with some creative yet hilarious April Fool’s Day pranks. We have compiled the best ones for you below: Snapdeal The e-commerce major might have had a tough year, but this did not stop the company from a unique April Fool’s Day prank – Snapdeal’s exclusive ‘Smart Shirt’. The company sent out emails to various publications about a Silicon Valley company called colourX that will now be selling its 'Smart Shirts' on Snapdeal. This shirt apparently lets you change its colours using an app. And there, that was the giveaway! If you did fall for it, the online shopping portal would have made you register with your name, email address and mobile number to pre-book the shirt, and bam, you were fooled!

The much awaited smart shirt that changes color with an app is open for sale! Register & Get in now 👉 https://t.co/sphEXA3PTv #SmartShirt #MegaDeals pic.twitter.com/yung975ft1
— Snapdeal (@snapdeal) April 1, 2019

Ola Over the past few years, Ola has been regularly participating in April Fool’s Day and this is why for many it became slightly easier for customers to spot its prank. However, many we believe would have been trapped still. The cab aggregator on March 30 tweeted about ‘Ola Restrooms’ with a video along with the post. The product is basically a mobile toilet that users could book when they ‘really really have to go’. If that was not all, Ola also stated that there would be “reading material, multiple scent options and more” for customers using Ola Restroom services. In the past, Ola had tricked customers with its chopper service and Ola news network pranks.

Introducing Ola Restrooms. A place to go, for a generation that’s on the go. #OlaRestrooms #NoPressure pic.twitter.com/H7vQh0JktR
— Ola (@Olacabs) March 29, 2019

Oyo Rooms Budget hotel startup OYO came out with the best in lot prank as it targeted the widely spreading Games of Thrones (GoT) fans. The company Game of Thrones to real life with a GoT-themed OYO. “Built like the Palace in King’s Landing, it has medieval dining halls & houses the famous Iron Throne. Tag 2 friends & be one of the first people to visit this OYO. Hurry up, limited entries allowed,” OYO tweeted. It teased the prank on March 30 and asked customers to stay tuned as the startup said it aims to bring the land of magic, dragons and more, closer to you.

For all GoT fans, India's first GoT-themed OYO is here! Built like the Palace in King’s Landing, it has medieval dining halls & houses the famous Iron Throne. Tag 2 friends & be one of the first people to visit this #OYO. Hurry up, limited entries allowed. #WinterHasCome #GoT pic.twitter.com/lioX35SF5u
— OYO (@oyorooms) March 31, 2019

OnePlus Kicking off its April Fool's Day 2019 celebrations, OnePlus has announced the ‘OnePlus Warp Car’ which will be powered by Warp Charge technology. While Warp Charge technology is something we saw in the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition, the Chinese smartphone maker has a hidden message with the prank which says “Yes, we do cars now”.

The OnePlus #WarpCar is coming. Are you ready to say goodbye to gasoline? #NeverSettle
— OnePlus (@oneplus) April 1, 2019

Paytm While the government has been trying to crack down on e-commerce companies providing heavy discounts, but Paytm came up with an offer to beat all offers – a 100% cashback on an iPhone! Yes, you read it right, but it is, of course, April Fool’s Day prank. While the 100% off was too good (and too obviously a joke) to be true, the company did offer a 4 per cent cashback on phone recharges after all on the prank page.

Apple fans are in for a treat! #PaytmKaro & get 100% cashback on iPhone 6S here: https://t.co/vOQ9ObErJ7 RT & share! pic.twitter.com/kGszaaiZAg
— Paytm (@Paytm) April 1, 2016

Swiggy With several Indian start-ups expanding their operations abroad, it won’t be surprising if yet another startup announces international expansion. However, things went a little sceptical when hyperlocal food delivery app Swiggy announced that it actually started taking international orders. Though we are not sure if these orders would be delivered by planes with nitrogen-cooled containers, Swiggy did a great job in fooling customers with a 3-minute video promoting the shtick. All in all, full marks to all these startups who actively participate in all such celebrations and special occasions into their marketing and social media mix and do topical content in style.