Cannes 2026: Chardikala to Balan, regional films dominate India's entries at fest

The Cannes Film Festival 2026 is set to witness a notable presence from the regional film industries of India, with Punjabi, Malayalam and Kannada language films screening across various sections at the prestigious annual event.

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 12 to May 23 and will feature the films of maestros such as Pedro Almodovar, Asghar Farhadi and James Gray. While India does not have a contender for the Palme d’Or this year, several Indian films still represent the country as premieres, restored classics, student showcases and film market screenings.

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who served on the prestigious Competition jury last year, will return to Cannes in a new role as the head of the Critics’ Week jury, a parallel section known for highlighting emerging filmmakers.

Here are the Indian films set to be screened at Cannes 2026:

1. Chardikala

The Punjabi film, also known as Zakhma Toh Chardikala Tak and directed by Amarjit Singh Saron, stars Ammy Virk and Roopi Gill. It is set to premiere at Cannes this year at the March du Film (film market).

The film follows the story of a nurse whose quiet life spirals after she is falsely accused in a major case. As she struggles with loneliness and hardship, she gradually begins helping families dealing with their own challenges. The film is slated for theatrical release on May 29 after its Cannes showcase.

2. Balan: The Boy

Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram, who gained global recognition with Manjummel Boys, will present Balan: The Boy at the March du Film.

Written by Jithu Madhavan, the Malayalam language film centres on a teenage boy searching for his missing mother. The story deals with abandonment, emotional instability and survival in a harsh social setting. The story is also expected to explore themes of identity and resilience.

3. Shadows of the Moonless Night

FTII student Mehar Malhotra’s Punjabi short film Shadows of the Moonless Night has been selected for the La Cinef section, the official competition section of the festival that focusses on works of student and emerging filmmakers.

Originally titled Parchave Masseah Rataan De, the 24-minute film follows Rajan, a night-shift factory worker burdened by financial pressure, overcrowded living conditions and emotional isolation. As exhaustion and sleeplessness consume him, his psychological balance slowly begins to collapse.

4. Amma Ariyan

Filmmaker John Abraham’s cult Malayalam experimental film Amma Ariyan has been restored in 4K and selected for the Cannes Classics section. Released in 1986, the film is regarded as a defining work of India’s parallel cinema movement.

The story follows a young activist named Purushan, who travels across Kerala with a group of companions to inform a mother about the death of her son Hari, a tabla player, believed to have died by suicide. The journey transforms into a reflection on grief, political unrest, youth activism and ideological disillusionment.

5. Spirit Of The Wildflower

London-based filmmaker Shrimoyee Chakraborty’s documentary Spirit Of The Wildflower will also be screened in the March du Film section.

The documentary follows two sisters running India’s first legal mahua distillery. While one dreams of turning their local brew into an internationally recognised brand, the younger sibling hopes to transition and live as a man. The film explores identity, ambition and social acceptance within a conservative environment.

6. September 21

Karen Kshiti Suvarna’s debut feature September 21 will have its world premiere at the Palais Theatre on May 16. Shot in Hindi and Kannada, the film revolves around an elderly Alzheimer’s patient who becomes convinced that his wife is quarantined in the neighbouring house during the Covid-19 pandemic. As his memory worsens, his estranged son returns home and struggles with the emotional demands of caregiving and family responsibility.

7. Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business

Actor-director Anshuman Jha’s upcoming action thriller Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business will also be showcased at Cannes 2026 with an exclusive market screening at the March du Film ahead of its official world premiere later this year.

Backed by German banner Webfilmland Productions, the film will be presented to international distributors during the festival. Directed by Anshuman Jha, the sequel continues the story of the animal-lover vigilante introduced in the first Lakadbaggha film.

8. Gudgudi

Gudgudi, directed by Manisha K Makwana and produced by Mukesh Chhabra along with White Peacock Films is a short film starring Ahsaas Channa. The film will have its world premiere at Cannes 2026 in the March du Film segment.

The film reportedly explores the emotional journey of a middle-class woman navigating life and personal struggles within the backdrop of an amusement park.

Films in Cannes 2026 major categories

While Indian films are part of several sections at Cannes 2026, the country has no entries in the festival’s major competitive categories. Here’s a look at the films selected in the main sections.

Competition

The Competition category, where films vie for the prestigious Palme d'Or, features nine films from across the world:

1. Minotaur - Andrey Zvyagintsev (France, Latvia, Germany)

2. The Beloved - Rodrigo Sorogoyen (Spain, France)

3. The Man I Love - Ira Sachs (United States)

4. Fatherland - Pawe Pawlikowski (Poland, Germany, UK, France, Italy)

5. Moulin - Laszlo Nemes (France, Hungary)

6. Stories of the Night - Lea Mysius (France)

7. Fjord - Cristian Mungiu (Romania, Nordic co-production)

8. Notre Salut - Emmanuel Marre (Belgium, France)

9. Gentle Monster - Marie Kreutzer (Austria, France, Germany)

Un Certain Regard

The Un Certain Regard section, known for highlighting fresh voices and unconventional storytelling, includes:

1. La mas dulce - Laila Marrakchi (France, Spain, Morocco, Belgium)

2. Club Kid - Jordan Firstman (United States)

3. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma - Jane Schoenbrun (United States)

4. Everytime - Sandra Wollner (Austria)

5. I'll Be Gone in June - Katharina Rivilis

6. Yesterday the Eye Didn't Sleep - Rakan Mayasi (Belgium, Lebanon, Palestine)

7. The Meltdown - Manuela Martelli (Chile)

Out of Competition

Several star-driven and high-profile projects will screen in this section:

1. Her Private Hell - Nicolas Winding Refn (Denmark, United States)

2. Diamond - Andy Garcia (United States)

3. Karma - Guillaume Canet (France)

4. L'Objet du delit - Agnes Jaoui (France)

5. De Gaulle: L'Age de Fer - Antonin Baudry (France)

Midnight Screenings

The Midnight Screenings lineup includes genre and experimental films:

1. Colony - Yeon Sang-ho (South Korea)

2. Roma elastica - Bertrand Mandico (France, Italy)

3. Full Phil - Quentin Dupieux (France, Belgium, Luxembourg)

4. Jim Queen - Nicolas Athane and Marco Nguyen (France, Belgium)

5. Sanguine - Marion Le Coroller (France)

Cannes Premiere

The Cannes Premiere section will feature several anticipated films:

1. Propeller One-Way Night Coach - John Travolta (United States)

2. Kokurojo: The Samurai and the Prisoner - Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Japan)

3. Heimsuchung - Volker Schlondorff (Germany)

4. The Third Night - Daniel Auteuil (France)

Special Screenings

The Special Screenings section includes documentaries and tribute films:

1. John Lennon: The Last Interview - Steven Soderbergh (United States)

2. Avedon - Ron Howard (United States)

3. Les Survivants du Che - Christophe Reveille (France)

4. Les Matins Merveilleux - Avril Besson (France)