Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan's 'Laapataa Ladies' faces plagiarism allegations; netizens claim it was copied from Arabic film 'Burqa City' - WATCH

Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film 'Laapataa Ladies' has found itself accused of plagiarism after a viral video comparing the film to a 2019 Arabic short 'Burqa City' turned up online. The Aamir Khan-produced film hit cinemas on 1 March 2024 and was praised for its unique storytelling and was even India's official entry to the Oscars 2025. However, social media is now buzzing with debates over whether the film is original or blatantly “copied” from 'Burqa City'.
The viral clip that started it all
The controversy began when a clip from the Arabic short film went viral, showing a man who, after shopping with his wife in a burqua, unknowingly takes home a different burqa-clad woman. Fans quickly pointed out the striking similarity to the Indian film, which follows a similar plot where two veiled brides are accidentally switched during a train journey. As the clips spread online, users were quick to react, with one writing, “Is 'Laapata Ladies' also Copied?”

Another disappointed viewer said, “We sent this film to the Oscars, only to discover it’s copied! This is disappointing and damages our nation’s creative credibility. Filmmakers, be transparent; if it’s a remake, say it. The world will find out anyway!”

Another furious fan commented, “Wow... just wow.. Aamir Khan, who used to boycott awards, did lobbying for this copied movie... whereas gems like 'Aatam' who could have really bagged an Oscar don't even get a decent release...”

Few fans also defended the film
Many pointed out that even Hollywood has seen successful remakes. A user wrote, “Those who are shouting ‘remake, remake’—'The Departed' is a remake of 'Infernal Affairs', 'A Star is Born' is the fourth remake of the same movie from 1937, 'The Lion King' is suspected to be ‘inspired’ by 'Kimba the White Lion'. All of these won Oscars!”

Another defender added, “Jo bol rahe hai Copy ko Oscar mein bhej diya unko bata dun ki ‘'The Departed'’ Martin Scorsese ki movie jo Oscar jiti thi as a director wo v copy thi Hong Kong movie ‘'Infernal Affairs'’ se sirf Bollywood ko blame mat kro.”

Not the first accusation for 'Laapataa Ladies'
This isn’t the first time 'Laapataa Ladies' has faced plagiarism accusations. Last year, filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan claimed that the film’s premise was copied from his 1999 TV movie 'Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol'.