Mumbai is getting ready for another celebration of books, ideas and conversations as Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest returns for its 17th edition from October 23 to 25, 2026.
The three-day festival will be held at its long-time venue, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), bringing together writers, thinkers, artists, performers and readers from different backgrounds.
Over the years, the festival has become a familiar part of Mumbai’s cultural calendar. Its programme goes beyond books and literature, creating a space for discussions on subjects that shape everyday life and society.
A festival that goes beyond literature
The 2026 edition will feature conversations across several fields, including literature, cinema, journalism, economics, medicine, history, art, sport, technology, environment and the digital world.
The festival’s line-up includes several recognised names from different professions. Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Shashi Tharoor, Ramachandra Guha, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shefali Shah, Faye D’Souza, Kaushik Basu, Ayaz Memon, Boria Majumdar, Jerry Pinto and Sonali Kulkarni are among those scheduled to participate.
The mix of speakers reflects the festival’s wider focus on ideas and public conversations rather than literature alone.
Awards, debates and book launches
The festival will also host the Godrej Literature Live! Literary Awards, which include honours for Lifetime Achievement and Poet Laureate, along with awards for fiction, non-fiction and business books.
Other attractions include the Great Debate, Book in Focus sessions, international performances, workshops and book launches. The popular book swap will also return, giving visitors an opportunity to exchange books with fellow readers.
For young readers, the Literature Live! Little Festival, in collaboration with HT Parekh Foundation, will feature sessions specially designed for children.
Focus on diverse voices
Inclusion will remain another part of this year’s programme. Through the Godrej DEI Lab, the festival will continue to create space for voices from the LGBTQIA+ community and minority groups.
The festival organisers said the 17th edition aims to bring together voices and ideas that are relevant to a society that is changing rapidly.
This year also marks a new chapter for the festival, with Godrej Industries Group joining as the Title Partner. The association is planned as a multi-year partnership.
For Mumbai’s readers and culture enthusiasts, the three-day event will offer a chance to listen to familiar voices, discover new ideas, attend literary sessions and spend time around books and conversations.
With literature placed alongside cinema, technology, history, art, sport and other subjects, the Mumbai LitFest continues to present itself as a wider festival of ideas.
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