The 79th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2026 saw a vibrant celebration of Indian cinema in the region this year, with several Marathi artistes adding a rich cultural touch from Maharashtra to the global stage.Ashok Saraf and wife Nivedita walk the red carpet at Cannes 2026Veteran Marathi actors Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf were among the leading personalities of the Marathi film industry to grace the red carpet. They are joined by ‘Konkan heart girl’ Ankita Walawalkar and Prajakta MaliThey turned heads with their traditional Maharashtrian looks at the international film festival.The actors proudly showcased Maharashtrian culture on foreign soil, adorning the traditional ‘Nath’, which 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 artists who walked the red carpet over the weekend.The stars were in Cannes for the global launch of Marathi OTT platform Abhijat, 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 stylish avatars at Cannes this year, it was the strong presence of Marathi film personalities that gave the prestigious film festival a unique cultural touch.
