Lagaan at 25: Aamir Khan to appear at London Indian Film Festival 2026
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after its release, 'Lagaan' is heading to the UK's largest IMAX screen — and Aamir Khan is going with it. His rare public appearance at the London Indian Film Festival's Closing Gala on 16 July 2026 marks one of the most significant retrospective moments for Indian cinema on the international stage this year.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Khan will attend the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) 2026 to mark Lagaan's 25th anniversary . 'Lagaan' will be screened at BFI IMAX on 12 July 2026 — the UK's largest IMAX screen.
Khan will deliver a rare public talk at the Closing Gala at BFI Southbank on 16 July 2026 .
The 17th edition of LIFF opens with '52 Blue' , directed by Ali El Arabi , starring Adil Hussain and Neha Dhupia .
The festival expands to Birmingham , Manchester , Sheffield , and Bradford alongside London this year.
The programme includes Europe's first Indian AI and Film Showcase and a 'Goodness Gracious Me' Reunion .
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is set to mark the 25th anniversary of his landmark film 'Lagaan' with a special screening at the BFI IMAX on 12 July 2026, as part of the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF). The Academy Award-nominated colonial epic will be shown on the UK's largest IMAX screen, with Khan himself in attendance to speak about its making.
Aamir Khan on What Made Lagaan Special
Reflecting on the film's enduring appeal, Aamir Khan said, 'As 'Lagaan' completes 25 years, it's hard to put into words what this journey has meant. We made the film with a lot of belief, passion and honesty, never imagining the kind of love it would receive and continue to receive all these years later.'
He added, 'I'm truly delighted that this milestone is being celebrated with a screening at the BFI. To see 'Lagaan' still connect with audiences across generations and across geographies is very special.' The remarks underline how the film — originally released in 2001 — has transcended its era to remain a touchstone of Indian cinema globally.
Closing Gala and Aamir Khan In Conversation
The festival's Closing Gala on 16 July will feature Aamir Khan In Conversation at BFI Southbank, where he will deliver what organisers describe as a rare public talk covering the making of 'Lagaan' and his broader career — from child actor to one of the world's most commercially bankable stars. His filmography is notable for consistently blending mainstream entertainment with social themes.
What Else the 17th LIFF Promises
The 17th edition of LIFF opens with '52 Blue', a rites-of-passage drama directed by award-winning filmmaker Ali El Arabi, starring Adil Hussain and Neha Dhupia. Both the director and cast are expected to attend the screenings.
The festival also promises a 'Goodness Gracious Me' Reunion, featuring the legendary British-Indian comedy team in a rare joint appearance, alongside Europe's first Indian AI and Film Showcase. UK premieres of indie features and short films from multiple Indian states are also on the programme.
Festival Expanding Beyond London
Cary Rajinder Sawhney, CEO and Programming Director of LIFF, said, 'It's great to see the festival expanding its footprint this year beyond London to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Bradford.' He described '52 Blue' as a film that 'wonderfully goes against the grain of these seemingly despondent times.'
This year's edition marks a notable widening of LIFF's geographic and thematic scope, with the AI and film showcase signalling the festival's intent to engage with emerging technologies reshaping Indian cinema. The 'Lagaan' anniversary screening, meanwhile, anchors the programme in a moment of genuine cinematic history.
Point of View
And a London platform amplifies his international standing at a time when his domestic release pipeline is under scrutiny. The more interesting question LIFF raises is whether the Indian AI and Film Showcase signals a structural shift in how Indian indie cinema is produced and distributed — or whether it is a festival novelty. That thread deserves as much attention as the marquee anniversary.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will 'Lagaan' be screened at LIFF 2026?
'Lagaan' will be screened at BFI IMAX in London on 12 July 2026 as part of the London Indian Film Festival. It will be shown on the UK's largest IMAX screen to mark the film's 25th anniversary.
What will Aamir Khan do at the London Indian Film Festival?
Aamir Khan will appear at the festival's Closing Gala at BFI Southbank on 16 July 2026 for a rare 'In Conversation' session. He is expected to speak about the making of 'Lagaan' and his career spanning from child actor to international star.
Why is 'Lagaan' significant in Indian cinema history?
'Lagaan', released in 2001, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it one of only a handful of Indian films to achieve that distinction. The colonial-era cricket drama is widely regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema's global reach.
What else is featured at LIFF 2026?
The 17th edition of LIFF includes the opening film '52 Blue' directed by Ali El Arabi, a 'Goodness Gracious Me' comedy reunion, Europe's first Indian AI and Film Showcase, and UK premieres of indie features and short films. The festival expands beyond London to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bradford.
Who is organising the London Indian Film Festival 2026?
The festival is led by CEO and Programming Director Cary Rajinder Sawhney, who has described this edition as one of the most expansive in the festival's 17-year history, both in terms of geography and thematic scope.
