Actor Abhishek Bachchan will open London Asian Film Festival Friday along with British comedian and writer Meera Sayal.

The nine-day festival will be hosted by Tongues on Fire and the movies will he shown across multiple venues in London.

"Abhishek Bachchan will be travelling to London to open the festival March 16. We are so excited! Abhishek and Meera Syal will be opening the Festival by doing the ceremonial lamp lighting with us at British Film Institute (BFI), " a statement on the festival's website.

The actor is expected to attend the opening press conference and will also be present at the introduction of the opening film of the festival "Michael", starring Naseeruddin Shah at the British Film Institute (BFI), Southbank.

The festival honours a range of exciting films influenced by South Asian cultures that have made waves in the international film festival circuit.

Some of the other major highlights of the festival are a Pakistani section in which the controversial film "Bol" will be screened March 18.

Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali will deliver the Nargis Dutt lecture at the University of Westminster (Regent Street campus) March 22 and will be screening his critically acclaimed films "Black" and "Guzaarish" during the event.