The 79th Cannes International Film Festival, set to commence on May 12 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, is poised to showcase a significant Indian presence in 2026. The guest list features a diverse array of talent from Punjabi, Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati cinema, with many artists making their red carpet debuts and participating in screenings, juries, and the film market. Notably, filmmaker Payal Kapadia will lead the jury for the 65th Cannes Critics Week, following her Grand Prix win in 2024 for her film “All We Imagine As Light.” Ashutosh Gowariker, the newly appointed director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), will also attend the prestigious event.
Among the Indian celebrities gracing the red carpet, Punjabi star Ammy Virk is preparing for his first appearance at Cannes, where he will attend the screening of the Punjabi film “Chardikala” alongside Roopinder Kaur Gill. Tara Sutaria is also expected to make her debut, although she will be present as a brand representative rather than for a film. A well-known beauty label will send several prominent figures, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Eva Longoria, to represent the brand at the festival. Additionally, veteran Marathi actors Ashok Saraf, Nivedita Saraf, and Prakajta Mali are scheduled to attend the film gala, further enhancing regional visibility.
Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar, fresh from attending the MET Gala, is set to walk the Cannes red carpet once again. Last year, he was present for the premiere of “Homebound.” This year, entrepreneur Sanjay Nigam, producer of “Pitch To Get Rich,” will also be in attendance. Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Anurag Kashyap are expected to join the festival as viewers, with Kashyap previously showcasing films like “Udaan” and “Gangs Of Wasseypur” at Cannes, now focusing on exploring new works.
Indian projects will feature prominently in the Marché du Film at Cannes 2026, providing producers with a platform to connect with buyers and distributors. Anshuman Jha’s productions will include market screenings for the Malayalam feature “Balan: The Boy,” the bilingual Hindi-Kannada film “September 21,” and the documentary “Spirit Of The Wildflower,” showcasing a blend of regional and cross-language cinema. Gujarati actor-producer Manasi Parekh is also set to highlight her upcoming projects at the Cannes Film Market, following the success of her film “Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate.”
Television and film actor Mouni Roy will return to Cannes for her third appearance, having previously attended the 76th and 78th editions for various brands. Jacqueline Fernandez is also scheduled to make her second appearance after 2024. The participation of these Indian celebrities, along with others, reflects a sustained interest from global fashion and beauty brands. The diverse representation of Indian cinema at Cannes 2026 underscores the rich tapestry of talent and storytelling that the country has to offer, with a lineup that spans multiple languages and genres.
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