Lagaan turns 25: Aamir Khan reunites with Rachel Shelley at London Indian Film Festival
Actors Aamir Khan and Rachel Shelley came together at the London Indian Film Festival to celebrate 25 years of Lagaan. The reunion and fans’ nostalgic reactions underlined the film’s enduring place in popular memory.
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan celebrated of rent Silver Jubilee at the London Indian Film Festival, where he reunited with his co-star Rachel Shelley. Shelley, who plays Elizabeth Russell, the British woman who helps Aamir’s Bhuvan in the film, later shared pictures from the event on social media. Their reunion made fans nostalgic for the film as it recently completed 25 years.
On Monday, Shelley posted a series of photos from the London Indian Film Festival on Instagram. In the pictures, she and Aamir are seen posing and hugging for the camera on the red carpet. Aamir kept his look casual in a blue T-shirt and matching jeans, while Shelley wore a white dress.
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Sharing the pictures, she wrote, “#Lagaan25Years. Thank you @aamirkhanproductions @bfifilmacademy @imaxuk #IndianFilmFestivalLondon for a wonderful Sunday morning celebration.”
Here are some pictures:
Fans responded warmly to the reunion in the comments section. One user wrote, ‘Nice to see you both celebrating. of rent 25 years. You have always been an amazing part of the Hindi film industry and a wonderful part of our childhood memories. Would love to see you again in an Indian film.” Another commented, “Iconic actors come together again! Would love to see you guys recreate some iconic scenes rent“
A third wrote, “There is no change in Gauri ma’am. She still looks the same as she used to look.” rentAnother said, “Both are aging gracefully.” A fan also joked, “Elizabeth finally found her way back to Bhuvan. Radha is definitely going to be angry in 2026. Absolutely iconic!”
Here are some more comments:
Earlier this year, when rent After its re-release in India on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Shelley had shared a video on social media depicting the journey of the film. In the clip he said, “Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday. And sometimes it feels like it was another lifetime ago. I have to say, I feel like as the cast and crew, we make the movie. But the audience, watching it and giving it so much love and support over the years, you are the ones who make the movie happen. It’s with me every day. It informs everything I’ve done since then.”
Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and produced by Aamir Khan, rent Was released in 2001. Set during British colonial rule, the sports drama describes a group of villagers who challenge British officials to a game of cricket in order to avoid paying oppressive taxes, or rent.
Shelley played Elizabeth Russell, a British woman who secretly teaches the villagers the rules of cricket and supports their fight against injustice. The film was both critically and commercially successful and remains one of the most celebrated titles of Indian cinema, and also helped popularize the sports drama genre in the country.
The film, starring Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh and others, received praise for its story, AR Rahman’s music and its performances. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.