OTT platform 'Abhijat Marathi' dedicated to Marathi Content unveiled at Cannes 2026
Cannes, May 18
'Abhijat Marathi', an OTT platform dedicated to Marathi content, was officially unveiled at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2026, marking a significant moment for Marathi entertainment and regional storytelling on the global stage.
The launch was led by Kedar Narahar Joshi, Founder and Owner of Abhijat Marathi, in the presence of celebrated Marathi entertainment personalities Ashok Saraf, Nivedita Saraf, Prajaktta Mali, Jayanti Waghdhare and Ankita Walawalkar.
The dignitaries also walked the Cannes red carpet post the grand unveiling ceremony held at the Bharat Pavilion.
Abhijat Marathi aims to showcase Marathi films, web series, music and cultural stories to audiences across India and international markets while celebrating Maharashtra's rich heritage, language and artistic talent, as per a press release.
Speaking at the launch, Kedar Narahar Joshi shared, "The unveiling of Abhijat Marathi at Cannes 2026 is a proud moment for Marathi cinema and culture. We are grateful to the Government of Maharashtra for extending its support to Abhijat Marathi OTT. I would especially like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting Classical Language status to Marathi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Marathi Language Minister Uday Samant for encouraging platforms that promote Maharashtra's cultural identity globally. Through Abhijat Marathi, we hope to take authentic Marathi storytelling and talent to audiences across the world," the press release quoted.
The unveiling reflected the growing global interest in regional Indian content and highlighted Marathi entertainment's expanding presence on international platforms.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice initiative, but I hope they don't just focus on 'prestige' stuff. Give us good masala entertainers too—the kind that makes Marathi cinema special. Also, please keep the subscription affordable. We already have Netflix, Amazon, etc. Make it ₹99/month and you'll get millions of subscribers.
As a Marathi-speaking IT professional in Bangalore, I'm so excited! I miss watching Marathi shows and movies. This OTT will help me stay connected to my roots. Hope they have subtitles too—my Kannadiga friends want to watch as well. A big step for regional content! 🙌
Good timing with Marathi getting Classical Language status. But will they really compete with established players? Content quality and marketing will be key. Hope they invest in original series and not just recycle old movies. Also, please include Marathi theatre recordings—that would be unique!
Great news but I hope they don't make it too political. We just want good stories—whether it's about rural life in Vidarbha or urban stories from Pune. Focus on quality content and authentic storytelling. Also, include Marathi cinema classics from the 70s and 80s; that would be a treasure trove!
A Ankita Walawalkar (as seen in article) Being part of this launch at Cannes was surreal! Walking the red carpet for Marathi cinema felt like a dream come true. This platform will give many talented artists from Maharashtra a global audience. Let's support our own content! 🙏 We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.