Is Laapataa Ladies a copy? Social Media sparks debate over similarities with 'Burqa City'

Kiran Rao’s directorial venture Laapataa Ladies has been making waves, but not just for its storytelling. The film, which was India’s official entry to the Oscars, is now facing plagiarism accusations. Many social media users have pointed out striking similarities between Laapataa Ladies and the 2019 Arabic short film Burqa City. The controversy erupted after a video comparing scenes from both films went viral on X, questioning the originality of Rao’s work.

The viral clip sparked a heated debate, with many questioning whether Rao’s film was simply ‘inspired’ or outright ‘copied.’ The central theme of both movies revolves around a newlywed man searching for his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another woman due to the burqa. This core plot similarity led to discussions across social media. One X user commented, “I thought it was an original story… disappointed. At least we got the beautiful song ‘Sajni Re’ by Arijit.” Another questioned, “Inspired or copied?”

Some viewers defended the film, arguing that the story’s themes, patriarchy, societal norms, and identity loss are universal and may have been explored independently. Others, however, insisted that giving due credit to potential sources of inspiration is crucial, especially when aiming for international recognition like the Oscars.

This isn’t the first time Laapataa Ladies has been accused of lacking originality. In July 2024, actor Ananth Mahadevan claimed that the movie bore a strong resemblance to his 1999 film Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol, which also revolved around brides getting mixed up at a railway station. These repeated allegations have intensified scrutiny over the film’s originality.

Set in rural India in 2001, Laapataa Ladies follows the lives of two brides who are accidentally swapped during a train journey. As their husbands set out to find them, an engaging narrative unfolds with unexpected twists. Starring Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava, the film also features Ravi Kishan in a crucial role. Produced by Aamir Khan, Laapataa Ladies hit theaters on March 1, 2024. Though it had a lukewarm box office run, it found renewed popularity on Netflix.