Laapataa Ladies, India’s official Oscar entry, is in hot water. A scene from the film looks almost identical to one from an Arabic short called Burqa City, and the internet’s not having it.
Fans spotted that both films have a police station scene that’s eerily similar. Now the question is—was this an honest nod, or straight-up plagiarism?
This isn’t the first time the movie has raised eyebrows. Director Ananth Mahadevan slammed it earlier, saying it copied his 1999 film Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol. He even accused the makers of picking up his storyline and giving it a shiny new title.
Laapataa Ladies and the other two films it’s compared to do share one theme—they all challenge patriarchy. Still, the makers haven’t issued any statement yet on the latest allegations.
Meanwhile, Bollywood’s facing a wave of controversy. This year alone, big names like L2: Empuraan, Chhaava, Emergency, and Punjab 95 have all dealt with protests, censorship, and online outrage.
Whether it’s title trouble, violence, religious issues, or history tweaks, filmmakers are walking a tightrope. As we wait for Laapataa Ladies to break its silence, one thing’s clear—Bollywood’s drama doesn’t stop at the screen.