Cannes 2026: From Alia Bhatt To Regional Cinema, India Has A Packed Line-Up This Year

Cannes Film Festival 2026 has started in France and like every year, India’s presence is once again getting attention. From film screenings to red carpet appearances, several Indian actors, filmmakers and regional films are becoming part of the festival this year.

Actors like Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai, Mouni Roy, Aditi Rao Hydari and Tara Sutaria are expected to walk the red carpet this year. Alia is attending the festival with L’Oréal Paris, while Aishwarya continues her long association with Cannes.

Apart from fashion and red carpet appearances, Indian cinema is also reaching Cannes through different regional films. Indo-American film Bombay Stories, based on the lives of sex workers in 1930s Bombay, will be screened at the festival. The film has been directed by Rahat Shah Kazmi.

Malayalam film Amma Ariyan, which released around four decades ago, is also getting a screening in the classical section. Along with that, Punjabi film Chardikala starring Ammy Virk and Gujarati film Lalo: Krishna Sada Sahayate are also part of the festival line-up.

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who won recognition at Cannes in previous years, has now joined the Critics Week jury panel. Ashutosh Gowariker is also attending as one of India’s official delegates.

Over the years, Cannes has become an important space for Indian cinema. From Neecha Nagar winning the Palme d’Or decades ago to films like Salaam Bombay, Pather Panchali and The Lunchbox getting recognition, India has continued to build its presence at the festival through different generations of cinema.