Kiran Rao’s directorial debut Laapataa Ladies has received widespread praise from both critics and audiences, becoming a huge hit and even earning the honour of being India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025.
However, the film has recently found itself at the centre of a plagiarism controversy. Following allegations that Laapataa Ladies is a copy of the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City, the screenwriter, Biplab Goswami, has come forward to defend the film's originality.
In a statement, Goswami vehemently rejected the plagiarism claims and stood by the unique story, characters, and screenplay of Laapataa Ladies. He explained that the film was the result of years of careful development, research, and thought.
Goswami revealed that the initial concept of the film was officially registered with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) on July 3, 2014, under the working title Two Brides. The original synopsis outlined a story about a groom who mistakenly brings home the wrong bride due to her face being covered by a veil, which sets the stage for a series of humorous and unexpected events.
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“One of the key scenes in this synopsis involved the groom, distressed and confused, visiting the local police station. He shows the officer the only photograph he has of his missing bride—only to reveal a picture where her face is hidden under the veil,” Goswami explained, adding that this scene was crucial in establishing the comedic tone of the film.
The screenplay was further developed and re-registered with the SWA on June 30, 2018, winning the runner-up award at the Cinestaan Storytellers Competition that same year.
Goswami stressed that the film's use of the classical storytelling device of mistaken identity was not unique to Laapataa Ladies, but a technique used by many great writers, including Shakespeare, Dumas, and Tagore. He clarified that while the film’s premise shared similarities with Burqa City, its execution, themes, and narrative were entirely original.
“Our characters, setting, and narrative journey are unique, deeply rooted in social realism, and aim to shed light on gender discrimination, rural power dynamics, and patriarchal systems,” Goswami said, firmly rejecting the plagiarism claims. He also expressed frustration over how such accusations not only discredit his work but also undermine the hard work of the entire team behind the film.
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Burqa City, a satirical short film by filmmaker Fabrice Bracq, revolves around a newlywed man’s search for his wife after she is mistakenly replaced by another woman in a burqa. Although both films share a similar premise of mistaken identity, Goswami and the team behind Laapataa Ladies have asserted that their film is a completely original work, born out of thorough research and reflection on societal issues.
Fans, however, have continued to draw comparisons between the two films, particularly accusing Kiran Rao of merely replacing the burqa with a ghunghat, thus copying the essence of Burqa City.
Despite the controversy, Laapataa Ladies continues to be celebrated for its social relevance and its exploration of complex gender and societal issues.
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