The recently released Bollywood film Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, is facing serious plagiarism allegations. Many viewers have pointed out its similarities with the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City. The controversy has sparked heated discussions on social media, overshadowing the film’s positive reviews and even its Oscar nomination.
Allegations of Copying
Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, hit the big screens on March 1, 2024. Soon after its release, a video comparing scenes from Laapataa Ladies and Burqa City went viral. Fans and critics started questioning the originality of Bollywood films, reigniting the debate about plagiarism in the industry.
Many social media users expressed disappointment, with one user commenting, “Bollywood rarely produces original work. Everything is copied from somewhere else!” Another remarked that plagiarism has been a long-standing issue in Indian cinema.
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Storyline and Background
Set in rural India in 2001, Laapataa Ladies tells the story of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey. The film stars Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan. It also marked Kiran Rao’s return to directing after Dhobi Ghat.
Despite the plagiarism controversy, the film received a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023. It was also selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category. Before the allegations surfaced, Bollywood stars like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Vijay Varma praised the film’s engaging narrative and performances.
Viral Social Media Reactions
The controversy gained momentum when a tweet from @theskindoctor13 on March 31, 2025, showcased a side-by-side comparison of both movies. The Arabic film Burqa City follows a similar storyline where a newlywed man struggles to find his wife after a mix-up involving burqas.
One viewer, however, noted a positive aspect, saying, “At least we got a beautiful song like Sajni Re by Arijit Singh from this movie.”
Ethics of Storytelling in Bollywood
The plagiarism accusations have once again raised concerns about the ethics of storytelling in Bollywood. While some argue that inspiration is natural, others believe that outright copying is unacceptable. The debate continues as fans demand answers from the filmmakers.
What are your thoughts on this controversy? Do you think Laapataa Ladies is inspired by Burqa City, or is it just a coincidence? Let us know in the comments!
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