Laapataa Ladies Writer Biplab Goswami Rejects Plagiarism Allegations: 'Registered Film's Synopsis In 2014'
Biplab Goswami, the writer behind the widely appreciated film 'Laapataa Ladies', has firmly denied accusations that the film’s storyline was copied from another source. The controversy erupted after a clip from the 2019 Arabic short film 'Burqa City' went viral online, drawing comparisons between the two narratives.
In 'Burqa City', a newlywed man finds himself in a chaotic situation when his bride is mistaken for another woman clad in a burqa. Social media users noted a resemblance to the central plot of 'Laapataa Ladies', where the protagonist Deepak embarks on a search for his missing bride after she is accidentally swapped with another veiled woman on a train.
Goswami on plagiarism allegation
Goswami addressed the plagiarism claims head-on through a statement shared on his Instagram account. “Our story, characters, and dialogues are 100% original. Any allegations of plagiarism are completely untrue. These allegations not just undermine my efforts as a writer, but also the tireless efforts of the entire filmmaking team,” he wrote.
He elaborated that the idea for 'Laapataa Ladies' had been in development for years. Goswami said he registered the story’s synopsis—titled 'Two Brides'—with the Screenwriters Association (SWA) on July 3, 2014. “Even within this registered synopsis, there is a scene that clearly describes the groom bringing home the wrong bride and being shocked and stricken upon realising his mistake because of the veil, along with the rest of his family,” he noted.
Goswami on police station scene
He also mentioned a particular scene involving the groom seeking help at a police station and showing the only photo he had of his bride—one where her face was obscured by a veil—prompting a humorous reaction from the officer. This scene, he explained, was already part of the registered script.
The completed screenplay, also registered with the SWA in June 2018, was selected as runner-up at the Cinestaan Storytellers Contest that year. “Again, in this screenplay, I had the scene of the policeman amused by the photograph of the veiled bride,” Goswami added.
Responding to the broader debate, Goswami pointed out that mistaken identity through veils and disguises is a well-established storytelling trope. “The concept of veils and disguises resulting in mistaken identities is a classical form of storytelling used for centuries by writers such as William Shakespeare, Alexandre Dumas and Rabindranath Tagore,” he wrote, adding that 'Laapataa Ladies' applied this classic framework in an original context with distinct characters, a unique setting, and a strong social message.
He said the narrative was built on years of research and a genuine attempt to reflect on gender inequality, rural patriarchy, and male dominance in both Indian and global settings. “The story, the dialogues, the characters, and the scenes — all stem from years of research and honest reflection,” Goswami added.
About Laapataa Ladies
Directed by Kiran Rao, 'Laapataa Ladies' features performances by Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. The film, which hit theatres in March 2024, was selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars. It was jointly produced by Kindling Pictures, Aamir Khan Productions, and Jio Studios.
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