"Big step for our industry": Manasi Parekh on taking Gujarati cinema to Cannes 2026
Cannes, May 15
Actor Manasi Parekh is currently in Cannes for the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, where she is actively promoting Gujarati cinema on the global platform.
Speaking to ANI, Manasi shared her experience of attending the prestigious festival.
"I am feeling very good. We have come to the film festival for the first time. The atmosphere here is truly remarkable, with so many Indian filmmakers, producers, directors, and writers coming together on an international platform. It reflects how far we have come. Speaking of regional cinema, we are proudly representing the Gujarati film industry. My husband, Parthiv, could not be here due to prior commitments. And many international buyers have shown interest in them. So this is a big step for our industry. There is such hope that year after year, the industry will continue to grow like this," she said.
The Cannes Film Festival, widely regarded as one of the world's most prestigious celebrations of cinema, kick-started on Tuesday with its 79th edition.
Notably, the Gujarati film 'Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate' has scripted history at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Gujarati film to make it to a global platform
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Gujarati cinema and reflects the growing global recognition of rooted Indian narratives and culturally rich storytelling, as per the press release.
Expressing gratitude for the film's success and international recognition, the makers thanked audiences for their constant support throughout the journey.
Director Ankit Sakhiya said in a statement, "Representing 'Laalo' at the Cannes Film Festival is a proud and humbling moment for us. We believe it is our language, our culture, and this film itself that brought us here. We may not be big enough to represent such a rich culture, but we are honoured to carry a small piece of Gujarat and its spirituality to the global stage through Laalo. We hope the film connects hearts beyond language and borders."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, while this is a good initiative, I hope the government and film bodies use this momentum to actually invest in regional cinema infrastructure. We have so many gems from Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali cinema that never get proper distribution. This Cannes spotlight should translate into real change, not just photo ops. 🇮🇳
*Sharing* – Great to see 'Laalo' getting international recognition. These rooted, spiritual narratives are what make Indian cinema special. Hope it inspires more filmmakers to stay true to our culture while reaching global audiences. 👏
Finally! Regional cinema is the backbone of Indian film industry. We have been waiting for this for decades. Manasi Parekh is a class act, always taking Gujarati cinema forward. Cannes 2026 is our chance to shine – let's not waste it. 🎬
It's great that one film made it, but this should become a regular thing. We need consistent representation, not just occasional milestones. Also, hope the subtitling and marketing are done well so international buyers actually understand our stories. Chalo, good start though!
As a Gujarati, this makes my heart swell with pride. Our language, our stories, our culture – finally on the world stage. Kudos to Manasi Parekh and the entire team of 'Laalo'. This is a big step for our industry indeed. Jai Gujarat! 🚀
Wonderful to see the world taking notice of Indian regional cinema. As someone who loves watching
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