Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan, has sparked a fresh controversy on Wednesday after being accused of plagiarism.
The film, which hit theaters on March 1, 2024, was lauded for its innovative storytelling and even selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025. However, a viral video comparing it to the 2019 Arabic short film Burqa City has raised eyebrows, leading to a heated debate on social media about its originality.
Viral Clip Ignited Debate
The controversy began when a clip from Burqa City surfaced online. The short film depicts a humorous mix-up where a man, after shopping with his wife in a burqa, accidentally brings home another burqa-clad woman. This plotline bears a striking resemblance to Laapataa Ladies, which revolves around two brides mistakenly switched during a train journey.
Social media users quickly noticed the similarities, with comments flooding in. One user wrote, “Is Laapataa Ladies also a copy? This is disappointing!” Another added, “We sent this film to the Oscars, only to find out it’s copied! This damages our creative credibility. If it’s a remake, filmmakers should be honest. The truth always comes out!”
A more frustrated viewer commented, “Wow… just wow. Aamir Khan, who used to boycott awards, lobbied for this film, even though it’s allegedly copied. Meanwhile, films like Aatam, which could’ve genuinely won an Oscar, don’t even get a proper release.”
Supporters Defend Film Amid Backlash
Despite the growing criticism, some fans defended the film, pointing out that remakes and adaptations are common in the film industry worldwide. One user responded, “Hollywood has plenty of remakes. The Departed is a remake of Infernal Affairs, A Star is Born has been remade four times since 1937, and The Lion King is inspired by Kimba the White Lion. All of these films won Oscars!”
Another supporter added, “To those blaming Bollywood—The Departed, which earned Martin Scorsese an Oscar, was a copy of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. Don’t single out Bollywood when this is a global practice.”
Pattern Of Allegations
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Laapataa Ladies has faced accusations of plagiarism. Last year, filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan alleged that the film’s storyline was inspired by his 1999 TV movie Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol.
As the controversy unfolds, the film’s journey at the Oscars remains under scrutiny. Whether it’s a case of cultural inspiration or outright copying, Laapataa Ladies has certainly stirred the pot, adding an unexpected twist to its cinematic success.
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