Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies is facing plagiarism allegations after a clip from the Arabic short film Burqa City went viral online, prompting viewers to point out striking similarities in storyline and screenplay. While the controversy intensifies, Laapataa Ladies writer Biplab Goswami has firmly denied all claims, asserting the film’s originality.
French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq, who directed Burqa City, responded to the ongoing debate in an interview with IFP. Expressing disappointment, he said, “There’s also similarity in the plot twist at the end, where we learn that the woman deliberately chose to run away from her abusive husband — a key narrative element in Burqa City.”
Reflecting on his reaction to the alleged parallels, Bracq added, “When I found out, I was both shocked and saddened, especially since I understood that the film had been a huge success in India and was even shortlisted for the Oscars. As for me, I had hopes — and was in discussions — to adapt Burqa City into a feature film. But is that even possible now?”

As the conversation continues, Bracq mentioned he is unsure about the next steps but may seek a dialogue with the creators of Laapataa Ladies. “For now, I’m not sure — probably to have a discussion with the production team of Laapataa Ladies,” he said.
In response to the controversy, Biplab Goswami shared a detailed statement denying the plagiarism charges. “Our story, characters, and dialogues are 100% original. Any allegations of plagiarism are completely untrue. These allegations not just undermine my efforts as a writer, but also the tireless efforts of the entire filmmaking team,” he wrote.
About Laapataa Ladies
Set in rural India in 2001, Laapataa Ladies follows the story of two young brides who accidentally get separated during a train journey. The narrative unfolds as a police officer takes it upon himself to solve the case. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures, and Jio Studios, the film released in theatres on March 1, 2024, starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam.