Kiran Rao’s Oscar-contending film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ faces copycat allegations. Writer Biplab Goswami fires back with registered scripts, literary parallels, and a fierce defense. Full story inside!
Plagiarism Allegations: What’s the Controversy?
Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed Laapataa Ladies—India’s official Oscars entry—is under fire after social media users spotted similarities with the 2019 Arabic film Burqa City.
Key Points of Comparison:
Veiled brides accidentally swapped during train travel Police comedy over mistaken identities due to face coverings Themes of female self-discovery in a patriarchal world
Fans expressed shock, questioning the originality of the much-praised feminist drama.
Biplab Goswami’s Strong Rebuttal
The film’s writer, Biplab Goswami, took to Instagram to shut down the accusations, calling them “baseless.”
His Key Arguments:
2014 Script Registration: Goswami registered Laapataa Ladies’ synopsis (then titled Two Brides) with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) on July 3, 2014—years before Burqa City (2019).
Identical Scenes Pre-Existed: His original draft included:
- A groom bringing home the wrong veiled bride
- A comedic police station scene where officers can’t identify the missing bride due to her veil
Award-Winning Script: The screenplay won runner-up at Cinestaan Storytellers Contest (2018).
Literary Defense: Shakespeare & Tagore Connection
Goswami emphasized that mistaken identities due to veils are a timeless trope, citing:
- Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (disguises & gender swaps)
- Tagore’s Chokher Bali (hidden desires & societal masks)
- Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo (deception & hidden identities)
Read More :- Amitabh Bachchan to Narrate Ramayana on JioHotstar’s Ram Navami Livestream – Watch the Teaser!
Expert Opinion: Is This Plagiarism or a Common Trope?
We spoke to film scholars to weigh in:
“Our story, characters, and dialogues are 100% original. These allegations undermine my work and the entire team’s efforts.” – Biplab Goswami ,
Dr. Priya Menon (Film Historian, FTII)
Veils as plot devices span cultures—from Much Ado About Nothing to Bollywood’s Chupke Chupke. Similar setups don’t mean theft unless dialogues and arcs match.”
Rahul Nair (Entertainment Lawyer)
SWA registration strengthens Goswami’s case. Without direct proof of access to Burqa City, courts rarely rule plagiarism.”
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Laapataa Ladies (2023) | Burqa City (2019) |
|---|---|
| Brides swap due to veils in a train | Veiled woman disappears at a station |
| Cop comedy over blurred ID | Police struggle with veiled photo |
| Feminist awakening arc | Themes of anonymity & freedom |
- “Biplab Goswami at an award show holding ‘Best Story’ trophy for Laapataa Ladies.”
- “Split-screen: Veiled brides in Laapataa Ladies vs. Burqa City train scenes.”
What’s Next?
- Oscars Impact? Unlikely unless Burqa City’s makers legally challenge.
- Audience Reaction? Mixed—some call it inspiration, others demand scrutiny.
Your Verdict: Coincidence or Copy?
“Watch both films and decide! Drop a comment—is this a classic trope or blatant plagiarism?”
