Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies received praises from all corners when it was released in March 2024. Though it didn’t do well at the box office, it earned appreciation for its unique content, standing out in a time when Bollywood was flooded with mass films.
The movie got critical acclaim and was even considered for the Oscars, though it didn’t make it to the final list. However, new accusations are once again questioning its originality. Previously, it was also accused of copying another film Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol.
Laapataa Ladies Idea COPIED From Spanish Film?
The film, which explores societal norms and women’s identity, is now being accused of copying the idea from a 2019 Spanish short film titled Burqa City. This claim gained attention after a post on Twitter/X highlighted some striking similarities between the two films.
A user on Twitter/X pointed out that Laapataa Ladies seemed to be heavily inspired by Burqa City. The user wrote, “Kiran Rao made Laapataa Ladies with the same theme, replacing burqas with ghoonghats. The film carried the same message about patriarchy, societal norms, and women’s identity. Even the Ravi Kishan police station scene seems heavily inspired.”
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
The post suggests that the only real change was swapping the Muslim context in Burqa City for a Hindu one in Laapataa Ladies. Many now feel that the two films are more similar than different.
Both Films Feel Similar To A Huge Extent
In Burqa City, a man marries a woman, but because of the burqa system, he brings home the wrong woman. When he realises his mistake, he goes to the police station with a photo of his wife. The photo shows her face covered with a burqa, and this sparks a discussion on issues like gender norms and religious attire.
Laapataa Ladies follows a similar storyline. A man marries a woman, but on their honeymoon, he discovers she is missing. He takes a photo of her to the police station, but her face is covered with a veil. The film then becomes a social commentary on women’s rights, freedom, and love, questioning the status of women in Indian society.
Online users argue that Laapataa Ladies isn’t an entirely original story. One commenter questioned whether Bollywood is truly innovating or simply copying ideas. Another noted that the shift from a Muslim context to a Hindu one felt disingenuous.
While Laapataa Ladies tried to address important social issues, the growing conversation about its similarities to Burqa City can’t be ignored. Whether it’s a case of inspiration or copying is still up for debate, but the film’s originality is certainly being questioned. What do you think about this claim? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
(Also read: Jio Studios Dominates IIFA 2025 With 15 Wins, Laapataa Ladies Grabs The Limelight With 10 Trophies!)
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