The release date is locked for Manoj Bajpayee starrer `Aligarh`, a film that talks about gender identity in the society. The Hansal Mehta's reality drama will release on February 26 next year.

The film, which is based on the real life incident of doctor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended from his job as a professor because of his sexual orientation, stars Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao in lead roles.

Mehta shared the news of the release date of the film on Twitter. He posted: `It's official. Our labor of love #Aligarh to release on Feb 26, 2016. So proud of this film. Can't wait for the world to see it.`.

The lead actors of the film were elated. Manoj shared that `Finally the release date of ALIGARH is announced. It's 26th Feb. Congratulations the team.@ErosNow @mehtahansal @Apurvasrani @RajkummarRao`.

Rajkummar said that the trailer of the film, which has garnered applause from various film festivals in India and globally, will soon be out.

Set in a town in Uttar Pradesh from which the film takes its name, "Aligarh" is the story of a professor (Manoj) fired for his sexuality and a young journalist (Rajkummar) who tells his story to the world.

The film was screened at the 20th Busan International Film Festival, opened the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and was also screened at 59th BFI London Film Festival later this year.