Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies Under Fire for Alleged Similarities to Arabic Film Burqa City!

Kiran Rao’s much-anticipated directorial, Laapataa Ladies, which made waves with its heartwarming narrative and visuals, is now facing accusations of plagiarism. The film, released on March 1, 2024, has been accused of copying the concept of a 2019 Arabic film, Burqa City, after a video from the latter surfaced online. This has led many netizens to question whether Rao’s film is truly an original work.

The Plot Twist That’s Sparking Debate

In Burqa City, the story revolves around a newlywed man who embarks on a desperate search for his wife after she is accidentally swapped with another woman wearing a burqa. This plot seems to bear striking similarities to the premise of Laapataa Ladies, where two brides are exchanged during a train journey. Both movies follow the husbands’ frantic search for the real bride, packed with twists and turns.

When the viral video from Burqa City hit social media, viewers quickly pointed out the shared themes. The comparison drew widespread attention, and people started questioning if Kiran Rao had borrowed this concept for her own film. One user commented, “Nothing Bollywood makes seems original anymore; it’s all just copy-pasted from somewhere else,” while another remarked, “Plagiarism in India — it’s not a new concept.” Some fans were disappointed, with one writing, “I thought it was original, but it’s good to know it gave us that beautiful song ‘Sajni Re’ by Arijit Singh.”

The Film’s Journey So Far

Despite the controversy, Laapataa Ladies had an impressive debut. Before hitting theaters, the film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, where it received a standing ovation from the audience. The film’s release has also been met with praise from Bollywood celebrities, including Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Vijay Varma, who hailed it as a fresh and engaging story.

Set in rural India in 2001, the film stars Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan, and marks Kiran Rao’s return to direction after the 2010 film Dhobi Ghat. Produced under Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, Laapataa Ladies became India’s official submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars.

While the plagiarism accusations have thrown a shadow over its release, Laapataa Ladies is still garnering attention for its performances, storytelling, and the poignant track “Sajni Re” by Arijit Singh, which has become a fan favorite. Whether the accusations affect its journey moving forward remains to be seen, but the film’s international recognition suggests it’s still holding its ground despite the controversy.