Laapataa Ladies Writer Biplab Goswami Denies Plagiarism, Shares Script Proof and Slams Unfair Allegations

The writer of Laapataa Ladies, Biplab Goswami, has finally spoken up after plagiarism accusations started floating online. Netizens recently compared the film to the 2019 Arabic movie Burqa City and claimed that Kiran Rao’s directorial copied its storyline. Responding firmly, Biplab issued a detailed statement and also attached documents as proof to defend his work.

In the statement, he clarified that the script was not copied and had been in development for many years. “The screenplay for Laapataa Ladies was developed extensively over many years. I first registered the film’s detailed synopsis, outlining the entire story with the working title Two Brides, with the Screenwriters Association on July 3, 2014,” he wrote. He further said that in this synopsis, he had clearly written the scene where the groom brings home the wrong bride and the family is shocked due to the veil confusion.

Biplab also revealed that in 2018, he registered the full script with the same title, Two Brides, and it even won the runner-up award at the Cinestaan Storytellers Competition that year. He added, “Again, in this screenplay, I had the scene of the policeman amused by the photograph of the veiled bride."

He went on to explain that themes like veils, disguises, and mistaken identity are not new, and have been used by classic writers like William Shakespeare, Rabindranath Tagore, and Alexandre Dumas. “Laapataa Ladies uses this mistaken identity form with entirely original and unique characters, setting, narrative journey, and social impact,” he stated.

He strongly denied any plagiarism, writing, “Any allegations of plagiarism are completely untrue. These allegations not just undermine my efforts as a writer, but also the tireless efforts of the entire filmmaking team.”

Kiran Rao also supported Biplab’s statement by sharing it on her Instagram stories.