Cannes Film Festival 2026: From Alia-Aishwarya to Punjabi-Marathi Cinema, India’s Grand
Cannes Film Festival 2026 features major Indian stars and films. Know the dates, venue, Indian celebrities list, and how to watch it live from India.
Cannes Film Festival 2026 Begins May 12
The French Riviera is once again ready to host the world’s most watched gathering of cinema. The 79th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 12 to May 23, 2026, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. This is not just a red carpet spectacle — it is widely considered the most credible global stage for cinema, where films are judged, careers are made, and the future of world storytelling is often decided.
For Indian viewers, the opening ceremony begins on the evening of May 12 and runs late into the night. Those who cannot attend in person can watch the red carpet and opening or closing ceremonies live on the official Cannes YouTube channel, the festival’s Instagram page, and the website festival-cannes.com.
This year, the jury will be presided over by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, internationally known for films like Oldboy and Decision to Leave.
Aishwarya Rai and Alia Bhatt Return to the Red Carpet
India will have a strong presence at Cannes 2026, starting with two of its most recognizable faces on the global stage. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a longtime fixture at Cannes, is confirmed to attend once again. Alia Bhatt will also represent Indian cinema at this prestigious international film festival.
Beyond them, filmmaker Karan Johar, actresses Tara Sutaria, Muni Roy, and Pooja Batra are also expected to walk the Cannes red carpet this year.
Director Ashutosh Gowariker, known for Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar, will also travel to Cannes — but in a different capacity. He will attend as the Director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), representing the country as part of India’s official delegation.
Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Malayalam Cinema Also Step In
This year, Cannes will not just belong to Bollywood. India’s regional film industries are showing up in a meaningful way.
Punjabi actor and singer Amy Virk will attend Cannes for the first time, bringing his film Chardikala to the festival. His co-star Ruppy Gill will also be present. This marks an important milestone for Punjabi cinema on an international platform.
From the Marathi film industry, veteran actor Ashok Saraf and Niveditaa Saraf, actress Prajakta Mali, and producer Kedar Joshi will attend and represent Marathi cinema at the festival.
Gujarati cinema will be represented by Mansi Parekh, who will attend alongside singer and producer Parthiv Gohil.
From the Malayalam industry, filmmaker Chidambaram will present his film Balan: The Boys at the Cannes Market.
These Indian Films Will Screen at Cannes 2026
Several Indian films have earned spots across different sections of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
Shadows of the Moonless Nights has been selected for the La Cinéf section, which spotlights work by new-generation film students. The celebrated Malayalam filmmaker John Abraham’s classic Amma Ariyan will also be screened in a restored 4K version — a significant moment for fans and scholars of Indian parallel cinema.
The Punjabi film Chardikala and the Hindi-Kannada drama September 21 will have their world premieres at the festival. In the Market Screenings section, the Malayalam film Balan and the documentary Spirit of the Wildflower will also be shown.
India and Cannes: A Bond That Goes Back Decades
India’s relationship with the Cannes Film Festival runs deep. Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Shyam Benegal put Indian cinema on the map here long before the red carpet became a talking point. Later, Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra brought India mainstream visibility on the global fashion and film stage.
Now, with regional language films also reaching Cannes, it is clear that the world’s interest in Indian storytelling has moved well beyond Bollywood.
How to Watch Cannes Film Festival 2026 Live from India
For Indian audiences, there are several ways to follow the festival in real time.
YouTube: The official Festival de Cannes channel streams red carpet arrivals and ceremonies live.
Instagram: @festivaldecannes posts real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and highlights throughout the event.
Website: festival-cannes.com carries the full schedule, screening details, and official announcements.
Indian entertainment channels and news portals also provide live coverage of red carpet looks, celebrity arrivals, and key announcements throughout the festival period.
Cannes Film Festival 2026 is shaping up to be one of India’s strongest showings at the festival in recent years. From Alia Bhatt and Aishwarya Rai to first-timers like Amy Virk, the range of Indian talent heading to the French Riviera this May is wider than ever. Several Indian films across languages are also premiering or screening at the festival, signaling that global audiences are genuinely interested in stories coming out of India. With the festival opening on May 12, attention from across the country will be firmly on Cannes.
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