Cannes 2026: Indian Stars Set to Dazzle on the Red Carpet
A Grand Indian Presence at Cannes 2026
The 79th Cannes International Film Festival is gearing up to kick off on May 12 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, promising a remarkable representation from India in 2026. The guest list is a vibrant mix of talent from various regional cinemas, including Punjabi, Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati, with many artists set to make their red carpet debuts while participating in screenings, juries, and the film market. Notably, filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prix in 2024 for her film "All We Imagine As Light," will chair the jury for the 65th Cannes Critics Week. Additionally, Ashutosh Gowariker, the newly appointed director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), will also grace the event.
Among the Indian stars making their mark on the red carpet, Punjabi actor Ammy Virk is excited for his inaugural appearance at Cannes, where he will attend the screening of the Punjabi film "Chardikala" alongside Roopinder Kaur Gill. Tara Sutaria is also anticipated to make her debut, although she will be there as a brand ambassador rather than for a film. A prominent beauty brand will send several notable figures, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Eva Longoria, to represent them at the festival. Furthermore, veteran Marathi actors Ashok Saraf, Nivedita Saraf, and Prakajta Mali are also expected to attend, enhancing the visibility of regional talent.
Celebrated filmmaker Karan Johar, who recently attended the MET Gala, is set to walk the Cannes red carpet once more. 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 anticipated to join the festival as viewers, with Kashyap having previously showcased films like "Udaan" and "Gangs Of Wasseypur" at Cannes, now focusing on discovering new works.
Indian projects are expected to take center stage at the Marché du Film during Cannes 2026, offering producers a valuable opportunity to connect with buyers and distributors. Anshuman Jha's productions will feature market screenings for the Malayalam film "Balan: The Boy," the bilingual Hindi-Kannada film "September 21," and the documentary "Spirit Of The Wildflower," showcasing a rich blend of regional and cross-language cinema. Gujarati actor-producer Manasi Parekh is also set to present her upcoming projects at the Cannes Film Market, following the success of her film "Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate."
Television and film star Mouni Roy will make her third appearance at Cannes, having previously attended the 76th and 78th editions for various brands. Jacqueline Fernandez is also scheduled to return for her second appearance after 2024. The participation of these Indian celebrities, along with others, highlights a continued interest from global fashion and beauty brands. The diverse representation of Indian cinema at Cannes 2026 emphasizes the rich tapestry of talent and storytelling that the country has to offer, featuring a lineup that spans multiple languages and genres.