Aamir Khan in Melbourne: Everything to Know About the IFFM 2026 Curtain Raiser

Aamir Khan has arrived in Melbourne to attend a special curtain raiser event for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), held to mark 25 years of his landmark film Lagaan. The event takes place on July 9, 2026, at ACMI Cinema in Melbourne, and officially opens celebrations for IFFM's 17th edition, which runs from August 13–23, 2026.

Here's a full breakdown of the event, the film being honored, and the festival behind it.

What exactly is happening on July 9?

The curtain raiser is a standalone anniversary event, held a full month ahead of the main festival dates. It centers on a special screening of Lagaan at ACMI Cinema, with Aamir Khan in attendance to mark the film's 25th year. The occasion also serves as the formal launch of this year's IFFM celebrations, ahead of the festival's full program, which organisers have said will be announced on July 14.

Because the curtain raiser and the festival itself are being held roughly a month apart, audiences following the news should keep the two dates distinct: July 9 is the Lagaan anniversary screening and festival kickoff event, while August 13–23 is when the 17th edition of IFFM runs in full, with its complete lineup of screenings, premieres, conversations, and masterclasses.

Why Lagaan, and why now?

2026 marks 25 years since Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was first released, on June 15, 2001. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan, the film is set in 1893, during British colonial rule in India. Its story follows villagers in a drought-stricken region who are pushed to breaking point by an oppressive land tax imposed by British officers. Rather than accept the tax hike, the villagers challenge the British to a game of cricket, with the outcome determining whether the tax will be doubled or scrapped altogether.

The film starred Aamir Khan alongside Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, and Paul Blackthorne, with a supporting cast that included Suhasini Mulay, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajendra Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Aditya Lakhia, Yashpal Sharma, and Amin Hajee. Lagaan went on to become one of the most widely recognized titles in Indian cinema, blending sport, drama, romance, and patriotism into a single narrative.

Its most notable global milestone came at the Academy Awards, where Lagaan received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film — at the time only the third Indian film to be nominated in that category. That nomination remains a key part of the film's legacy and a significant reference point for its continued recognition abroad, a quarter-century after its release.

The anniversary has already been marked in more than one setting this year. Beyond the IFFM curtain raiser, Aamir Khan is also making a separate appearance tied to the Lagaan 25th anniversary at the London Indian Film Festival's own 17th edition, taking place in July 2026. Earlier in the year, a re-release of Lagaan in Indian theatres was also reported, alongside a gathering in India that brought together figures including Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor to mark the milestone. India Post additionally issued a commemorative cover honoring Aamir Khan Productions in connection with the anniversary.

What is the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM)?

IFFM is described by organisers as the largest celebration of Indian cinema held outside India. The festival is backed by the Government of Victoria and has, over previous editions, hosted a long list of prominent figures from Indian cinema. Past guests have included Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Ram Charan, Vijay Sethupathi, Vicky Kaushal, Vijay Varma, and Keerthy Suresh, along with filmmakers such as Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Zoya Akhtar, Rima Das, Onir, and Kabir Khan.

The festival's 17th edition, scheduled for August 13–23, 2026, is expected to continue that pattern, bringing together actors, directors, and industry professionals for a program of screenings, premieres, conversations, and masterclasses. Organisers have confirmed that the complete program for this edition will be revealed on July 14, shortly after the curtain raiser event.

Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange, commenting on the choice to open the festival with the Lagaan anniversary, said the film has "made a lasting impact on audiences" and called it "a milestone in Indian cinema" that continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences worldwide. Lange added that the festival was delighted to welcome Aamir Khan to Melbourne for the celebration.

Where does the curtain raiser fit into the festival's history?

Holding a dedicated curtain raiser event ahead of the main festival dates is itself part of this year's approach: rather than folding the Lagaan anniversary into the August programming, organisers chose to stage it as a separate, earlier event at ACMI Cinema. This gives the anniversary screening its own dedicated moment, distinct from the main festival's later slate of premieres and events, while still using it to formally open the year's celebrations.

Quick Facts

• Event: IFFM 2026 Curtain Raiser

• Guest: Aamir Khan

• Date: July 9, 2026

• Venue: ACMI Cinema, Melbourne, Australia

• Occasion: 25th anniversary of Lagaan

• Festival dates (17th edition): August 13–23, 2026

• Full IFFM program announcement: July 14, 2026

• Organisers: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, backed by the Victorian Government; Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange

• Film: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, produced by Aamir Khan

• Recognition: Academy Award nomination, Best Foreign Language Film

FAQs

Why is Aamir Khan in Melbourne?

He is attending the IFFM 2026 curtain raiser, a special screening marking 25 years of Lagaan that also launches this year's festival celebrations.

When is the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026? The 17th edition of IFFM runs from August 13–23, 2026. The July 9 event is a separate curtain raiser held a month in advance, ahead of the full festival program.

What is Lagaan about?

Set in 1893 under British colonial rule, the film follows villagers in a drought-hit region who challenge British officers to a cricket match, with the outcome determining whether an oppressive land tax will be doubled or cancelled.

Did Lagaan win an Academy Award?

No. The film received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, one of only a handful of Indian films to be nominated in that category, but it did not win.

Is this Aamir Khan's only Lagaan anniversary appearance this year?

No. He is also making a separate appearance tied to the Lagaan 25th anniversary at the London Indian Film Festival's 17th edition in July 2026, in addition to earlier anniversary events held in India.

When will the full IFFM 2026 program be announced?

Organisers have said the complete program for the festival's 17th edition will be announced on July 14, 2026.