Is Laapataa Ladies really a copy of a short film called Burqa City? Netizens have accused the Oscar-nominated movie of plagiarism.
The internet has been buzzing with controversy surrounding the Oscar-nominated movie Laapataa Ladies. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Pictures, the film made a name for itself in 2023. The story focuses on women’s empowerment and sheds light on the ignorant and outdated norms imposed on women in Indian society. The film received widespread praise and was even nominated for an Oscar, marking a significant milestone in Indian cinema. However, a revelation in 2025 shocked the internet!
In 2019, a short film named Burqa City, set in the Middle East, was released. The core story of the movie revolves around the protagonist whose wife is swapped because of a similar burqa worn by another woman. The film then follows the man’s journey to find his wife, ultimately conveying a powerful moral about society. Does this sound familiar?
Netizens noticed that the plot is quite similar to Laapataa Ladies, with only the burqa being replaced by a ghoonghat or bridal veil to make it Indian. The film, which was widely praised for its real concept, faced severe backlash, making it a Bollywood controversy.
Laapataa Ladies plagiarism allegations
Bollywood has often been criticized for its plagiarism issues, and this time has been no different. However, some tweets are worth noting, as they argue that the movie is not merely inspired by Burqa City, but by many other sources.
Partially accurate. "Laapataa Ladies" was India's Oscar entry, and its plot shares similarities with "Burqa City". However, IMDB's claim of inspiration isn't officially confirmed. The film also resembles Tagore's 1906 novel "Noukadubi" and Mahadevan's 1999 film "Ghunghat Ke Pat…
— Ask Perplexity (@AskPerplexity) March 31, 2025
As comparisons between the Indian and Spanish movies have surfaced, other news has also come to light. An Indian filmmaker claims that even the ghoonghat was not original, as it was inspired by the 1999 movie Ghoonghat ke Pat Khole by Ananth Mahadevan. Ananth shared a post mentioning the movie and also uploaded a YouTube video about an accidental bride swap that occurs at a railway station. Fans later requested to watch the movie, which had been taken down by Aamir Khan Productions. In response, Ananth shared the link to the full movie, writing, “Only 1 hour available.”
No, Laapataa Ladies is not a copy of Burga City. While both films explore themes of mistaken identity, patriarchy, and women's issues in society, they are distinct in their storytelling, setting, and execution. Burga City (2019), a French short film, is a satirical take on a…
— PJ (@jayswal7477) March 31, 2025
Ananth later told Mid-Day, “It seems too much of a coincidence. I have seen Laapataa Ladies, and the beginning as well as many incidents are the same.”
With Aamir Khan Productions doing its best to remove any accusations, the controversy persists. In today’s fast-paced internet world, it has become difficult for filmmakers to hide their inspirations. It looks like the Oscar-nominated film may be in a pickle.
