'Lagaan' to be celebrated at 17th edition of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Mumbai, July 1
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is set to attend a special screening of his iconic film Lagaan in Melbourne on July 9 to mark its 25 years, launching the 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne a month ahead of the festival's main programme.
This year, the festival will kick off its celebrations with a special curtain-raiser event a month ahead of the festival, commemorating 25 years of the Academy Award-nominated classic Lagaan.
Speaking about this year's festival, Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange in a press note said, "The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has always celebrated stories that have made a lasting impact on audiences, and there could not have been a better way to begin our 17th edition than by celebrating 25 years of Lagaan. The film is a milestone in Indian cinema and continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and audiences around the world. We are delighted to welcome Aamir Khan to Melbourne for this special celebration and look forward to presenting another memorable edition of the festival that brings together the very best of Indian cinema."
The 17th edition will take place from 13th to 23rd August 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, Lagaan is one of those rare films that transcends generations. I was in college when it released and even now my kids enjoy watching it. The music, the cricket, the social message - everything about it is timeless. Looking forward to the Melbourne festival.
Lagaan is a masterpiece but let’s not forget it was also Aamir’s production debut and what a gamble it was! 4 hours long, set in colonial times, with no big item numbers - and it still rocked the box office. The Oscars nomination was just the cherry on top.
I watched Lagaan for the first time last year during a Bollywood movie night with my Indian friends. I was blown away by the storytelling and the cricket match - even though I barely understand the sport! It's truly a universal story of courage against all odds. So cool that they’re celebrating it in Melbourne.
Bit disappointed they’re only focusing on one film though. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has showcased so many diverse regional films over the years - why not have a special package for Malayalam or Tamil cinema too? But yes, Lagaan deserves its moment, no doubt. ☺️
Living in Melbourne for 7 years now, and this festival is a breath of home for us desis. I still remember watching Lagaan in a packed theatre here during its original release - the crowd was cheering like it was a live match! Can’t wait to relive that magic with Aamir sir in attendance. 🏏🎥
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