Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which received critical acclaim and was selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, is now facing accusations of plagiarism. A viral video circulating on social media has drawn comparisons between Rao’s film and Burqa City, a 2019 Arabic short film by French filmmaker Fabrice Bracq.
What’s the controversy?
The debate started when social media users noticed similarities between the two films. In Burqa City, a newlywed man mistakenly takes home the wrong burqa-clad woman due to an identity mix-up. Laapataa Ladies follows a similar plotline but with brides in traditional ghoonghat. A key scene being debated online features a man approaching a police officer with a photo of his veiled wife, which happens in both films with strikingly similar reactions from the officers.
Many users expressed disappointment, questioning the originality of Bollywood films. Comments ranged from calling Laapataa Ladies a “cut, copy, and paste” project to frustration over Bollywood’s history of drawing from international cinema without acknowledgement. Some also pointed out that the film had changed the cultural context from Muslim burqas to Hindu ghoonghats to better suit Indian audiences, leading to accusations of narrative manipulation.
Not the first time
This isn’t the first plagiarism accusation against Laapataa Ladies. In 2024, veteran actor-director Ananth Mahadevan claimed that the film bore strong similarities to his 1999 television film Ghoonghat Ke Pat Kholi, which also featured two brides being mistakenly swapped during a train journey. Several viewers recalled the Doordarshan series with a similar premise from the late 90s, adding further fuel to the debate.
Industry reactions & responses
Despite the growing controversy, neither Kiran Rao nor Aamir Khan Productions have addressed the allegations. The film had been praised for its commentary on women’s identities and societal norms, but the plagiarism debate now casts a shadow over its achievements.
The discussion has also reached tech platforms, with an X user even asking Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok about the allegations. Grok reportedly acknowledged the similarities, adding another layer to the online debate.
What’s next?
While social media continues to debate whether this is inspiration or imitation, the industry awaits an official response. Will Laapataa Ladies stand by its originality, or will the filmmakers acknowledge any influence? The controversy has put a spotlight on Bollywood’s long-standing issue with originality, and how filmmakers navigate these allegations in the digital age remains to be seen.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.