20 May,2026 05:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Manasi Parekh (Picture via Instagram)
Actress and producer Manasi Parekh represented Gujarati cinema at Cannes 2026, where she focused on expanding the industry's international reach rather than just the glamour of the red carpet. Speaking exclusively to mid-day, the actress reflected on showcasing Gujarati films at the prestigious festival and shared why the experience was a major milestone for the industry.
Calling it "an amazing honor," Manasi said, "The fact that we represented this absolutely growing industry and we all are seeing the pace at which it's growing and the conversation around it is growing. So to be there and to kind of represent that was an honor."
The actress revealed that nearly 35 films were showcased to international buyers during the festival. "I got a chance to meet a lot of collaborators for international production-related collab offers. We also meet such incredible writers and actors and investors there," she shared.
Manasi explained that her Cannes trip was largely work-focused because her production company had set up a dedicated booth at the festival market. "It's the first time somebody was selling Gujarati films abroad like this in a festival. So there was a lot of interest in that," she said proudly.
Apart from networking and film-related meetings, the actress also attended major screenings. She shared that she watched the Fast & Furious screening with Vin Diesel and the cast present at the premiere. She also attended John Travolta's directorial debut screening and witnessed him receiving the Palme d'Or tribute. "This moment was so iconic," she said, adding that the celebration of his cinematic legacy was "completely overwhelming."
The actress also met several Indian filmmakers and creators at Cannes, including Guneet Monga, Anupama Chopra and Ashutosh Gowariker. She especially highlighted the growing presence of women writers and filmmakers from India.
Speaking about her Gujarati film Laalo, Manasi said the screening received an encouraging response from both Gujarati and non-Gujarati audiences. "Laalo has done so well and it's become like this hallmark in terms of the box office," she noted, adding that the film has helped increase conversations around Gujarati cinema globally.
Addressing the ongoing debate about whether Cannes has become more about fashion than films, Manasi offered a balanced perspective. "I think both aspects of the Cannes Film Festival should exist, co-exist," she said. "The main core of it is that it's a film festival. It's a market for vendors and buyers and sellers. Everything else is now frill and the decoration around it."
Sharing a major achievement, Manasi revealed that Laalo became the first Gujarati film to secure international distribution across 47 countries and generate over 1 million USD in revenue. "We were looking at newer markets, expanding into newer territories," she said, adding that her Cannes schedule was packed with screenings, networking and business meetings from morning till midnight.
