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Laapataa Ladies Plagiarism Row: Laapataa Ladies by Kiran Rao created a lot of excitement in 2024 because of its lovable plot, sympathetic characters and important societal message. The movie was India's first official Oscar submission in addition to phenomenal reviews. 

Laapataa Ladies has influenced audiences and garnered great reviews but it was quickly wrapped in controversy after some internet users alleged that it was a copy of another Arabian movie. 

A few days ago, certain social media posts featured snippets of Burqa City, a 19-minute short movie directed by Fabrice Bracq and released in 2019. The Middle Eastern-set movie chronicles the journey of a recently married man whose wife is switched with another woman because of their burqas. As a result, he embarks on the quest to locate her. The movie is a satirical comedy that subtly criticises gender-based limitations and patriarchy.

Many users pointed out that in this Arabic movie, ghoonghats were subsituted for burqas. It is a replica of the Kiran Rao's directorial backed by Aamir Khan. 

You'll be shocked to know that the netizens discovered another movie with a same plot, which further heightened the plagiarism controversy. Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol, a 1999 film directed by Anant Mahadevan, has a similar plot.

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These posts prompted strong reactions from social media users. One of the many angry users wrote, "But this movie laapata ladies is a shameless lift of a telefilm by Ananth Mahadevan.. it was released in 1999 on Doordarshan, this was available in YouTube, but was removed after the release of Laapata Ladies..." Another user wrote," Is there any Bollywood movie which is not copied?"

About Laapataa Ladies

Laapataa Ladies, which was produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, was Kiran Rao's first directorial effort since Dhobi Ghat. The movie was shown at the esteemed Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 prior to its theatrical debut. A standing ovation was given to it by the festival attendees.

On March 1, 2024, Laapataa Ladies was released in theaters. Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel and Ravi Kishan play the main parts in Kiran Rao's movie. The Oscar nominated movie transports audiences to 2001 rural India. The plot centers on two brides who are switched during a train voyage. As their husbands begin looking for the true bride, the convoluted adventure begins.

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