Are you ready to go back to the drive-in and watch one of your favorite Bollywood films, Bradford? Well, get ready because the first in a series of large-scale outdoor cinema spectaculars for Bradford 2025 takes place this April, as a Drive-In Cinema comes to Cannon Mills in Great Horton, overlooking the cityscape of Bradford’s historic textile mills. From 17 to 19 April, there will be three days of screenings for audiences to watch from their car in a classic movie-going experience. How exciting is this?
Specially programmed for the Drive-In is a strand of classic and contemporary Hindi films, opening with Kabir Khan’s 2015 smash hit Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2pm, Thursday 17 April) and classic Bollywood comedy Amar, Akbar, Anthony (7pm, Thursday 17 April).
There will also be a chance to see family-friendly road-trip movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2pm, Saturday 19 April), and romantic musical comedy Jab We Met (7pm, Saturday 19 April). All Hindi films will be subtitled in English.
English language films include a Good Friday matinee screening of recent family favourite The Wild Robot (2pm, Friday 18 April), and 90s classic Speed (7pm, Friday 18 April), starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
The Drive-In experience will include food and drink stalls on site selling a selection of snacks and popcorn, and a DJ ahead of each film. Each car will receive a special speaker on arrival, enabling audience members to listen to the films’ soundtrack inside every vehicle.
Aman Dhillon, film curator for Bollywood titles, said: “For this special Bradford 2025 Drive-In programme we wanted to bring you a mix of romantic, comedy, family friendly and action films. These four popular Bollywood films are perfect for a drive-in experience and provide a real variety in genre so there is something for everyone!
“Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is always my first choice when it comes to Drive-In Cinema – an ideal film to watch with a group of friends or family, is a relatable coming-of-age story, with fantastic music and beautiful cinematography as the characters take a road trip through Spain. This film was made for an outdoor big screen!
“Another family favourite sure to bring a tear to the eye is Bajrangi Bhaijaan with celebrated actor Salman Khan who sets out to unite a lost speech impaired girl with her family in Pakistan.
“Jab We Met is a romantic comedy perfect for couples, groups of friends or to be enjoyed as a family, with relatable characters, fantastic music that will have you dancing in your car seats and a story that provides a twist to a typical Bollywood love story!
“Amar Akbar Anthony is amongst the Bollywood all-time favourites and an absolute treat to be able to watch on a big screen! This 1970s film has a strong message on secularism with three brothers that get separated due to circumstances, one grows up as a Christian, one a Muslim and one Hindu, these much-loved characters are played by Vinod Khanna (Amar), Rishi Kapoor (Akbar) and Amitabh Bachchan (Anthony). Watch this film for over-the-top action, drama and unforgettable music!”
Tickets for the Cannon Mills Drive-In are on sale now and can be booked online at www.bradford2025.co.uk or in person from the Ticket & Info Hub at Centenary Square, Bradford. Cannon Mills Drive-In events are ticketed per car.
Full Schedule
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
Thursday 17 April, 2pm
dir. Kabir Khan, 2015, 2h 43m
Salman Khan plays a big-hearted Indian man who resolves to reunite a young mute Pakistani girl with her family in Kabir Khan’s smash hit, a movie described as ‘India’s most-loved film’.
Amar, Akbar, Anthony (PG)
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
7pm, Thursday 17 April 2025
dir. Manmohan Desai, 1977, 3 hr 4m
Three brothers are separated and then united after many years – one has been brought up a Hindu, another a Muslim and the last (and most memorable) a Christian. Hilarity and adventure ensue in this classic blockbuster starring Bollywood legends Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachan. An epic action comedy with a memorable soundtrack!
The Wild Robot (U)
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
2pm, Friday 18 April 2025 (Good Friday)
dir. Chris Sanders, 2024, 1h 42m
When Roz the robot is shipwrecked on a deserted island, she finds herself having to protect a single egg until it hatches. Will she save the day? A classic DreamWorks animation.
Speed (15)
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
7pm, Friday 18 April 2025 (Good Friday)
dir. Jan de Bont, 1994, 1h 56m
A young cop (Keanu Reeves) and an unwitting commuter (Sandra Bullock) take a wild ride through Los Angeles aboard a bomb-laden bus in this iconic Hollywood thriller. Fasten your seatbelts…
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (PG)
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
2pm, Saturday 19 April 2025
dir. Zoya Akhtar, 2011, 2h 35m
Three once-inseparable friends take a three-week bachelor road trip to Spain in this fabulous family movie – and a rare chance to see it on the big screen.
Jab We Met (PG)
Cannon Mills, Cannon Mill Lane, Bradford BD7 3HW
7pm, Saturday 19 April 2025
dir. Imtiaz Ali, 2007, 2h 18m
A wealthy but depressed businessman (Shahid Kapoor) sees his life turned on its head after a chance encounter on the train in Imtiaz Ali’s joyous romantic musical comedy – a perfect Date Night movie…
