Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to unnecessary expenditures during challenging times amid West Asia tensions, Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday said that he has decided to cancel his planned visit to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year.

Shelar, who also holds the portfolios of electronics, information technology, and artificial intelligence, while issuing an official statement, said, "the decision was taken as part of a broader effort to exercise restraint in government expenditure while prioritising national interest."