Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, has recently faced allegations of plagiarism due to perceived similarities with the 2019 Arabic short film Burqa City. The controversy emerged when a clip from Burqa City surfaced online, depicting a newlywed man mistakenly bringing home the wrong burqa-clad woman—a plot element some viewers found reminiscent of Laapataa Ladies.
In response to these claims, Biplab Goswami, the writer of Laapataa Ladies, has firmly denied any accusations of plagiarism, stating that such allegations are “completely untrue.” Goswami emphasized that his story was developed independently and is an original work.
Laapataa Ladies premiered on March 1, 2024, and has garnered widespread acclaim for its engaging narrative and social commentary. The film was showcased at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation, and was later selected as India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars.
The film’s narrative, set in rural India in 2001, follows two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey, leading to a series of events as their husbands attempt to find their rightful partners. This storyline has been praised for its humor, emotional depth, and insightful commentary on societal norms.
While discussions continue among audiences regarding the similarities between the two films, Goswami and the production team maintain that Laapataa Ladies is an original creation, and they stand by the film’s authenticity.