Did Laapataa Ladies Copy Burqa City? Netizens Say 'Bollywood Lacks Originality'

Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film 'Laapataa Ladies' has found itself at the center of a plagiarism controversy. The film is being accused of drawing its premise from 'Burqa City'.

A viral video comparing the two films has sparked a heated debate online, with netizens questioning the originality of Rao’s work.

Source : IMDb

Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film 'Laapataa Ladies', which was India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, has found itself at the center of a plagiarism controversy. The film is being accused of drawing its premise from 'Burqa City', a 2019 French short film directed by Fabrice Bracq. A viral video comparing the two films has sparked a heated debate online, with netizens questioning the originality of Rao’s work.

Similarities between Laapataa Ladies and Burqa City

The striking resemblance between the two films has caught the attention of cinephiles. 'Burqa City' follows a newlywed man who struggles to find his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another burqa-clad woman. In 'Laapataa Ladies', a similar situation unfolds when protagonist Deepak embarks on a search for his bride, who gets accidentally exchanged with another veiled woman during a train journey.

Further fueling the allegations is the similarity between key sequences in both films. In 'Burqa City', a police officer laughs dismissively when the protagonist presents a photo of his completely veiled wife, failing to recognise her. A nearly identical scene is present in 'Laapataa Ladies', where Ravi Kishan’s character reacts in the same manner when Deepak approaches him with a photograph of his ghoonghat-clad spouse.

Kiran Rao's Lapata Ladies, India's official entry to the Oscars and projected as an original work, actually seems heavily inspired by a 2019 short film titled Burqa City.

Set in Middle East, the 19 min film follows a newlywed man whose wife gets exchanged due to identical… pic.twitter.com/b7GcHN2MmI

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) March 31, 2025

Netizens react

The controversy has led to a flood of reactions on social media. One user commented, “If Rao’s film indeed mirrors key aspects of Burqa City, it raises valid questions about originality and the fine line between inspiration and imitation. Recognizing the source of inspiration is essential, especially when it comes to international recognition like the Oscars.” Another wrote, “He just changed burqa to ghoonghat. Bollywood, particularly the Khans, lacks originality and negatively impacts how Western countries perceive India.”

About Laapataa Ladies

'Laapataa Ladies' has been widely appreciated for its narrative and performances. Starring Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan, the film transports viewers to rural India in 2001, exploring themes of identity, patriarchy, and societal expectations. Produced under Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, it marked Kiran Rao’s directorial return after 'Dhobi Ghat'.

The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 to a standing ovation, was celebrated by industry figures including Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Vijay Varma.