The Pakistani drama “Mannat Murad” has found itself in the midst of controversy as a viral episode featuring the main characters getting married sparked accusations of plagiarism.
Viewers were quick to point out the striking similarity between Iqra Aziz’s wedding look in the episode and that of actress Saboor Aly. Viral tweets highlighted that Iqra’s appearance closely mirrored Saboor Aly’s wedding look.
In response to the comments and accusations of blatant copying, Saboor Aly took to her Instagram stories to share her disappointment about her special day being replicated. She wrote, “And how am I supposed to feel about this? My moment, my memories, my sentiments. My vision and my look for the most special day of my life. My heart was put into every little detail of my entire look. However, there is a difference between being inspired and copying—special day copied blatantly.”
However, the designer of the bridal attire in question, Faiza Saqlain, responded to the controversy, offering clarification. Saqlain stated, “There’s a lot of noise regarding a bridal jora that we made, and I just feel that this needs some clarity.” She emphasized that suggesting colors and minor details does not give copyrights of the design to the bride. Saqlain explained that brides often customize, make changes, or suggest alterations for a newer look.
The designer defended the design, stating that the silhouette and work were not unique to this particular event and had been worn by many brides before. She highlighted that the uproar was unnecessary, especially when designers invest time and effort into creating looks without monetary or major collaborative benefits.
Saqlain asserted, “This particular jora is completely an FS Bridal, and we have all the rights to sell it and/or give it for further collaborations.” The controversy raises discussions about the fine line between inspiration and replication in the realm of fashion and entertainment.
