Laapataa Ladies Controversy: Is Kiran Rao's Film Inspired By Burqa City?

Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies, which was released on March 1, 2024, has faced accusations of copying the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City. The controversy began after a video from Burqa City went viral on social media, showing a plot similar to Laapataa Ladies—a newlywed man searching for his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another woman wearing a burqa. Netizens have questioned the originality of the Bollywood film, with some calling it a "copy-paste" job.

Laapataa Ladies, set in rural India in 2001, follows two brides who are exchanged during a train journey, leading to a search by their husbands to find the real bride. The film marked Kiran Rao's return to direction after Dhobi Ghat and was produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande under Aamir Khan Productions. It was screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it received a standing ovation. The film was also selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars.