New Delhi: Biplab Goswami, the writer behind Kiran Rao’s acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies, has firmly denied allegations that the film’s plot was plagiarised from the 2019 Arabic short film Burqa City.
The accusations began circulating earlier this week on social media after users pointed out perceived similarities between the two films.
In Burqa City, a newlywed husband mistakenly brings home the wrong woman in a burqa.
A comparable mix-up drives the central plot of Laapataa Ladies, where a groom accidentally loses his bride after she’s switched with another veiled woman during a train journey.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Goswami called the claims baseless and dismissed any notion of plagiarism.
“Our story, characters, and dialogues are 100% original,” he wrote. “These allegations not only undermine my work as a writer but also the tireless efforts of the entire filmmaking team.”
Goswami detailed the long development process behind Laapataa Ladies, stating that he first registered a synopsis of the story—then titled Two Brides—with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) as early as July 2014.
The synopsis, he said, included key plot elements such as the mistaken bride scenario and a comedic police station scene involving a veiled photograph.
He further revealed that a full-length script was submitted to the SWA in June 2018, and it went on to win the runner-up prize in the 2018 Cinestaan Storytellers Competition.
“Again, the script included scenes where a policeman is amused by a photograph of the veiled bride—clear evidence of the originality and timeline of the story,” he added.
Goswami also highlighted that mistaken identity involving veils and disguises has long been a storytelling device used by literary greats such as William Shakespeare, Alexandre Dumas, and Rabindranath Tagore.
“Laapataa Ladies uses this classic trope with a wholly original set of characters, setting, and message,” he wrote.
“Every element of the story is born out of deep research into gender inequality, rural dynamics, and social hierarchies, both in India and globally.”
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Directed by Kiran Rao, Laapataa Ladies stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan.
The film, released in March 2024, has not only received critical acclaim but was also selected as India’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars.
It is backed by Kindling Pictures, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios.
