Jaipur Literature Festival: Rahul Akerkar, Simi Garewal, Vishal Bhardwaj To Headline 20th Edition

The Jaipur Literature Festival, presented by Vedanta, is set to mark its 20th anniversary with a star-studded lineup of international and Indian voices. As anticipation grows for the Jaipur Literature Festival 2027, organizers have announced that renowned restaurateur Rahul Akerkar, iconic actor Simi Garewal, and acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj will be among the prominent figures gracing the event. The festival is scheduled to take place from January 14–18, 2027, at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur.

Celebrating Two Decades of Literary Excellence

To celebrate two decades of fostering global dialogue and cultural exchange, the festival recently hosted a special preview at The Quorum in Mumbai. The event provided a glimpse into the upcoming milestone edition, which has evolved from a local gathering into one of the world's most celebrated literary platforms. Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts and Producer of the festival, noted that over the past 20 years, the event has welcomed more than 5 million visitors and brought together over 8,000 writers, speakers, and artists.

The 20th Jaipur Literature Festival will gather global intellectuals and artists from January 14–18, 2027.

The preview also featured the launch of Ashwin Sanghi’s latest book, The Blind Fury, followed by a discussion on the craft of crime writing. Attendees at the preview included various distinguished voices from the Mumbai literary and cultural fraternity, such as poet Ranjit Hoskote, singer Rekha Bharadwaj, and author Jeet Thayil. These figures are part of a broader, diverse roster of participants expected to join the festival in January.

A Global Gathering of Minds

The 20th edition promises an extraordinary mix of participants, including Nobel, Booker, and Pulitzer Prize laureates. The confirmed lineup features notable names such as Olga Tokarczuk, Sudha Murty, James Wood, Esther Duflo, Neil MacGregor, and Sir Paul Nurse. They will be joined by other influential thinkers including former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, economist Michael Greenstone, and Bloomberg journalist Matthew Campbell. The festival continues its mission to provide an open, democratic space for discourse on history, science, politics, and contemporary society.

Why it matters

The Jaipur Literature Festival has become a vital platform for global literary and cultural exchange, transcending geographical and intellectual boundaries. By making literature and ideas accessible to all, it serves as a significant meeting ground for readers, thinkers, and policymakers, shaping the way audiences understand the world.

For readers and cultural enthusiasts in India and beyond, this milestone edition reinforces the festival's role in championing diverse voices and fostering meaningful conversations on critical global issues.