Director Fabrice Bracq of the 2019 short film Burqa City has addressed the ongoing plagiarism controversy involving Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies. Bracq remarked, “Many aspects of my short film were clearly present,” indicating significant similarities between the two films. He further stated, “While inspiration is common in art, direct replication without acknowledgment is concerning.”
Laapataa Ladies, released in March 2024, tells the story of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey, leading to a series of events as they attempt to reunite with their respective husbands. This narrative bears resemblance to Burqa City, which follows a newlywed man searching for his wife after she is mistakenly swapped with another burqa-clad woman. The thematic parallels have led to widespread discussions about originality in storytelling.
As of now, Kiran Rao and the production team of Laapataa Ladies have not issued an official response to these allegations. The film, which was India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, has faced scrutiny over these claims. The debate underscores the importance of originality and proper attribution in the creative industry.
