Rani Mukerji's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag shares a similar story as that of K Balachander's 1977 film, Aaina, starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz.

But Pradeep Sarkar's film bears a closer resemblence to the Marathi film, Doghi (1995). Directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar, the film stars Renuka Daftadar (playing Rani's character) and Sonali Kulkarni [Images] (playing Konkona Sen Sharma's [Images] character).

Aaina sees Mumtaz take up prostitution to feed her large family.

Doghi, meanwhile, is about two sisters. The elder sister takes to the streets in order to protect her younger sibling, and also care of her family.