‘Laapataa Ladies’ Sparks Plagiarism Debate Over ‘Burqa City’

Dubela, Aryan Bhattacharya: Kiran Rao’s latest film Laapataa Ladies has sparked controversy after social media users pointed out striking similarities between its storyline with the Arabic short film Burqa City (2019).

The debate began when clips comparing the two films surfaced online. Burqa City tells the story of a newlywed man who mistakenly swaps his burqa-clad wife with another woman and struggles to find her. In Laapataa Ladies, a similar mix-up occurs when two brides in veils are accidentally swapped during a train journey, leading their husbands on a quest to reunite with them.

Many viewers took to social media to express their concerns, with some accusing Bollywood of lacking originality. “There is nothing original about Bollywood anymore,” a concerned social media user posted. Others, however, defended the film, arguing that stories with similar themes can exist independently.

Despite the ongoing debate, neither Kiran Rao nor the makers of Laapataa Ladies have responded to the allegations. The film, which has received critical acclaim, was even selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards.

With discussions continuing online, audiences remain divided on whether Laapataa Ladies is a case of creative inspiration or a direct plagiarism.