Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which was India’s official entry for the Oscars, has sparked a plagiarism debate after a viral video raised questions about its originality. The video features a scene from the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City, which has a strikingly similar plot to Rao’s film. The scene shows a newlywed man searching for his wife after she’s mistakenly swapped with another woman wearing a burqa.
The Plot Controversy
The viral clip led to a flood of comments on social media, with many users wondering if Rao’s film was inspired by Burqa City or if it copied the idea. Both films share a central theme about a newlywed man on a quest to find his wife after a mix-up, leading to debates about originality. Some viewers defended Laapataa Ladies, suggesting it could be an “inspired” version rather than a copy, while others raised concerns about the fine line between the two.
A Growing Debate Over Inspiration vs. Imitation
As the controversy gained momentum, some users pointed out that the themes of patriarchy, societal norms, and identity loss explored in both films are universal. One user commented, “It’s intriguing that Laapataa Ladies has drawn comparisons to Burqa City given the striking similarities in themes and narrative structure. If it mirrors key aspects of Burqa City, it raises questions about originality.” The conversation continued with another user questioning whether the film was truly “inspired” or if it was just a case of copying.
Earlier Allegations of Similarity
This isn’t the first time Laapataa Ladies has faced criticism for its originality. Back in July 2024, actor Ananth Mahadevan accused the film of closely resembling his 1999 directorial debut, Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol. That film also had a similar plot where brides were swapped at a railway station, further fueling concerns over the film’s uniqueness.
A Film Gaining Popularity
Laapataa Ladies, released on March 1, 2024, tells the story of two brides who are accidentally swapped during a train journey. Their husbands set out to find their respective brides, leading to an unexpected series of twists and turns. Produced by Aamir Khan, the film features Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava in key roles, with Ravi Kishan also playing an important part. Though the film struggled at the box office, it gained a new fanbase after it was made available on Netflix.
As the debate continues to unfold, fans and critics alike are left wondering about the fine line between inspiration and imitation in cinema.
