Aamir Khan To Celebrate 25 Years Of 'Lagaan' At Melbourne Film Festival

Actor-producer Aamir Khan will attend a special screening of the iconic film Lagaan as part of the 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, organisers announced on Wednesday.

The festival, regarded as the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside India, is scheduled to take place in Melbourne from August 13 to 23. Ahead of the main event, a special curtain-raiser programme will be held on July 9 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 'Lagaan' , one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the period sports drama earned widespread acclaim upon its release and achieved international recognition with a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film .

According to the organisers, Khan will attend the special screening at ACMI Cinema in Melbourne, officially launching the festival’s celebrations for this year. The event is expected to highlight the enduring legacy of the film, which continues to resonate with audiences across generations.

Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said celebrating the milestone anniversary of “Lagaan” was a fitting way to begin the festival’s 17th edition.

She noted that the festival has consistently honoured films that have left a lasting impact on audiences and described “Lagaan” as a landmark achievement in Indian cinema. Lange also expressed delight at welcoming Aamir Khan to Melbourne for the special occasion.

Supported by the Government of Victoria, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has grown into a major international platform for Indian cinema. Over the years, it has hosted several leading personalities from the Indian film industry, including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, A. R. Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ram Charan, among others.

The 2026 edition will feature film screenings, premieres, masterclasses, conversations and cultural events , bringing together filmmakers, actors, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts from around the world.