Mumbai, India – Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies, which received critical acclaim and was India’s official entry to the Oscars, is facing plagiarism allegations after social media users pointed out similarities with the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City.
The controversy began when a viral video compared a scene from Burqa City with Laapataa Ladies, leading many to question the film’s originality. Both movies share a central plotline involving a newlywed man searching for his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another burqa-clad woman.
Debates erupted online over whether Laapataa Ladies was directly copied or merely inspired by the Arabic film. One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Abhi kuch nahi ho sakta… I was under the impression that it was original. Good that this movie gave one beautiful song, Sajni Re, by Arijit.” Another user asked, “Inspired or copied?”
Others took a more analytical approach. “It’s intriguing that Laapataa Ladies has drawn comparisons to Burqa City, given the striking similarities in themes and narrative structure,” one post read. “While the film’s core message about patriarchy and societal norms is universal, acknowledging sources of inspiration is crucial, especially for international recognition like the Oscars.”
This is not the first time Laapataa Ladies has faced plagiarism claims. In July 2024, actor Ananth Mahadevan alleged that the film bore strong similarities to his 1999 movie Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol, which also revolved around brides getting mixed up at a railway station.
Laapataa Ladies was released in theatres on March 1, 2024. Featuring actors Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava, the film is set in rural India in 2001. It follows the journey of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train ride, triggering a series of unexpected events.
Produced by Aamir Khan and starring Ravi Kishan in a significant role, the film initially underperformed at the box office but later gained popularity on Netflix. The controversy has sparked a wider discussion on artistic originality and the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism. While some believe the film should credit its inspirations, others argue that similar stories can emerge independently. The filmmakers have yet to respond to the allegations.
