Jobaaj Stories
🎬 French Director Reacts to 'Laapataa Ladies': Says Hindi Film Mirrors His Work on 'Burqa City'
French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq has raised eyebrows in the film community after pointing out surprising similarities between his 2019 short film Burqa City and Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed 2024 Hindi feature, Laapataa Ladies. Bracq says he was “shocked and surprised” to see scenes and character arcs in Laapataa Ladies that felt strikingly similar to his own work — even though the Bollywood film is set in a different cultural context.
The Original: What Burqa City Is About
Bracq’s short film Burqa City is a satire that centers around a newlywed couple living in a society where women are required to wear full-face veils. The story takes a humorous yet sharp look at themes like gender roles, mistaken identity, and social control. A central plot point involves a husband accidentally taking home the wrong veiled woman — a mix-up that sets off a chain of events reflecting the absurdity of his world.
The Bollywood Counterpart: Laapataa Ladies
Fast forward to 2024: Laapataa Ladies, produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Kiran Rao, follows a rural Indian backdrop where two brides wearing identical veils are mistakenly swapped on a train. The film uses humor and heartfelt storytelling to explore women’s freedom, personal identity, and patriarchy — themes that resonate with Burqa City.
🎥 Bracq’s Reaction: Surprised by the Similarities
Speaking to media outlets, Bracq admitted he was caught off guard by how closely some elements of Laapataa Ladies mirrored his film.
“I was surprised and shocked to see that, although the story was adapted to Indian culture, many aspects of Burqa City were clearly present,” he said.
Bracq pointed out similarities not only in the premise — veiled women being mistaken for each other — but also in character dynamics. He noted that Laapataa Ladies featured a kind-hearted husband, an abusive spouse, and a corrupt cop — roles that echo those in his film.
He also highlighted a pivotal moment in both films involving a photograph of a veiled woman, which complicates the process of identification — a unique visual that played a key role in his short film as well.
🧑💼 The Writer’s Response: “100% Original Work”
Biplab Goswami, the writer of Laapataa Ladies, has strongly denied any claims of copying. In a statement, Goswami explained that the script was registered with the Screenwriters Association in India back in 2014 — five years before Burqa City was released.
“Our story, characters, and dialogues are 100% original,” Goswami said. “Any allegation of plagiarism is completely untrue and undermines the years of effort and creativity that went into this project.”
🎭 A Bigger Conversation: Where’s the Line Between Influence and Imitation?
This controversy has sparked broader questions about creativity and influence in global cinema. While stories may cross borders and inspire filmmakers across cultures, the debate often lies in whether something was truly an homage — or a little too close for comfort.
