Kiran Rao’s latest film, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, has come under fire for alleged plagiarism after a viral video clip sparked comparisons with the 2019 Arabic short film ‘Burqa City’, directed by French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq. The light-hearted social dramedy, which was India’s official Oscar entry this year, has been accused of copying its core concept.

The controversy erupted when a scene from Burqa City—depicting a newlywed man mistakenly searching for his wife among burqa-clad women—surfaced online. Social media users were quick to point out the resemblance to ‘Laapataa Ladies’, which explores a similar premise.

The online debate intensified as users questioned the film’s originality. One comment highlighted the “striking similarities in themes and narrative structure,” suggesting that if Rao’s film mirrors key aspects of Burqa City, it raises important questions about creativity and the line between inspiration and imitation. The commenter also acknowledged that while the theme of losing one’s identity within societal norms is universal, recognizing the source of inspiration becomes crucial, especially when international accolades like the Oscars are involved.

This is not the first time ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has faced plagiarism accusations. In July 2024, actor Ananth Mahadevan criticized the film for allegedly resembling his 1999 debut directorial venture, Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol.

Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ features a fresh cast, including Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Sparsh Shrivastava. Despite the controversy, the film has garnered critical acclaim, winning multiple awards at the IIFA 2025.

As of now, the filmmakers have not issued a statement addressing the plagiarism allegations.