'Aligarh' to open Mumbai Film Festival

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta's "Aligarh", starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao, will open the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai film festival.

"Really proud to announce that @mehtahansal's #Aligarh is the Opening Premiere of the #JioMAMI Mumbai Film Festival," read a post on the festival's official Twitter handle.

"Aligarh" is based on the real life incident of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras whose services as professor were terminated because of his sexual orientation.

Rajkummar also shared the news on the micro-blogging site and congratulate the entire cast and crew members of the film.

In a series of post he wrote: "Thrilled to announce that #Aligarh is the opening film at MAMI. @mehtahansal @Mumbaifilmfest @Apurvasrani. Congratulations team. #JioMAMI."

According to Mehta, who is currently at the Busan International Film Festival for the October 4 world premiere of the film, "Aligarh" is the first Hindi film to open the film festival.

"We're honoured. It is the first Indian film to open MAMI since it was founded. It is a tribute to the beautiful people that made Aligarh possible," Mehta told International entertainment news website Variety.com.

The film will have its European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10.

The 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai film festival will take place from October 29 to November 5.