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Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies Accused of Plagiarising From Arabic Film Burqa City
Updated on: 02 April, 2025 02:05 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Laapataa Ladies Plagiarism Controversy
Kiran Rao`s directorial venture, Laapataa Ladies, has recently come under scrutiny due to allegations of plagiarism. The film, which was India`s official entry to the Oscars this year, is a light-hearted social dramedy that has been accused of copying a 2019 Arabic film called Burqa City, directed by French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq.
In Laapataa Ladies, the protagonist, Deepak, embarks on a similar quest after his new bride is swapped with another ghoonghat-clad woman on a train. Actor Ravi Kishan plays the role of a police officer who reacts in the same way when Deepak presents him with a photo of his veiled wife.
The internet has expressed disappointment over the striking similarities between the two films. Netizens have reacted strongly, questioning the originality of Rao`s work. One user commented, "Nothing that Bollywood produces seems to be an original work of art. They are all brazenly copy-pasted from somewhere else, shamelessly billed as original work." Another user added, "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".
Also Read: Aamir Khan On Traumatic Divorce With Reena Dutta, Her Bond With Kiran Rao, And More
The allegations have sparked discussions within the industry and among audiences about the fine line between inspiration and imitation. While some argue that storytelling often involves reimagining existing narratives, others believe that acknowledging sources of inspiration is crucial, especially when aiming for international recognition like the Oscars.
Released theatrically on March 1, 2024, the movie features a fresh cast, including Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava. Set in rural India in 2001, the narrative revolves around two brides who get exchanged during a train journey, leading their husbands on a journey filled with twists and turns as they search for their real brides.
Also Read: IIFA Awards 2025: Laapataa Ladies, Kill Win Big; Check Complete List of Winners
Similarities Between `Laapataa Ladies` and `Burqa City`
A video from Burqa City surfaced on social media, highlighting striking resemblances between the two films. The Arabic movie revolves around a newlywed man`s search for his wife after she is mistakenly replaced by another woman wearing a burqa. In a notable scene, a police officer laughs when the protagonist shows a picture of his burqa-clad wife, as she`s unrecognizable due to her veil.In Laapataa Ladies, the protagonist, Deepak, embarks on a similar quest after his new bride is swapped with another ghoonghat-clad woman on a train. Actor Ravi Kishan plays the role of a police officer who reacts in the same way when Deepak presents him with a photo of his veiled wife.
Kiran Rao`s Lapata Ladies, India`s official entry to the Oscars and projected as an original work, actually seems heavily inspired by a 2019 short film titled Burqa City.
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) March 31, 2025
Set in Middle East, the 19 min film follows a newlywed man whose wife gets exchanged due to identical… pic.twitter.com/b7GcHN2MmI
The internet has expressed disappointment over the striking similarities between the two films. Netizens have reacted strongly, questioning the originality of Rao`s work. One user commented, "Nothing that Bollywood produces seems to be an original work of art. They are all brazenly copy-pasted from somewhere else, shamelessly billed as original work." Another user added, "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".
Also Read: Aamir Khan On Traumatic Divorce With Reena Dutta, Her Bond With Kiran Rao, And More
Ananth Mahadevan`s Claims of Similarities with `Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol`
This isn`t the first time Laapataa Ladies has faced plagiarism issues. In July 2024, actor and director Ananth Mahadevan claimed that the film bore a striking resemblance to his debut directorial venture, Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol (1999). Mahadevan noted that both films share a similar premise, where a mix-up occurs due to the traditional veiling of brides, leading to a comedic yet poignant narrative about identity and societal norms.The allegations have sparked discussions within the industry and among audiences about the fine line between inspiration and imitation. While some argue that storytelling often involves reimagining existing narratives, others believe that acknowledging sources of inspiration is crucial, especially when aiming for international recognition like the Oscars.
About Laapataa Ladies
As of now, the makers of Laapataa Ladies have yet to respond to the plagiarism charges. The film, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, was screened at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, where it received a standing ovation.Released theatrically on March 1, 2024, the movie features a fresh cast, including Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava. Set in rural India in 2001, the narrative revolves around two brides who get exchanged during a train journey, leading their husbands on a journey filled with twists and turns as they search for their real brides.
Also Read: IIFA Awards 2025: Laapataa Ladies, Kill Win Big; Check Complete List of Winners
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