The 79th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2026 witnessed a vibrant celebration of regional Indian cinema this year, with several Marathi artistes adding a rich Maharashtrian cultural touch to the global stage.Ashok Saraf and wife Nivedita walk the Cannes 2026 red carpetVeteran Marathi actors Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf were among the prominent personalities from the Marathi film industry to grace the red carpet. Joining them were ‘Konkan hearted girl’ Ankita Walawalkar and Prajakta Mali, who turned heads with their traditional Maharashtrian looks at the international film festival.The actresses proudly showcased Maharashtrian culture on foreign soil by adorning the traditional ‘Nath’, which quickly became one of the highlights of the evening. Their elegant ethnic appearances received appreciation from fans and attendees alike. Marathi actor Pushkar Jog was also among the artistes who walked the red carpet over the weekend.The stars attended Cannes for the global launch of OTT platform Abhijat Marathi, marking a significant moment for Marathi entertainment on the international stage.While Bollywood celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, Diana Penty and Huma Qureshi dazzled in glamorous avatars at Cannes this year, it was the strong presence of Marathi cinema personalities that added a unique cultural flavour to the prestigious film festival.
