Veteran Marathi actors Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf, along with Prajakta Mali, Ankita Prabhu-Walawalkar, and Kedar Joshi, attended Cannes 2026. At 78, Ashok made his Cannes debut, walking the red carpet in a bandhgala while Nivedita stunned in a Paithani saree. Their appearance won hearts and went viral online.
The Cannes Film Festival is known for bringing together the biggest names from the world of films. This year, the Marathi film industry had a strong presence at the event, with actors Ashok Saraf, Nivedita Saraf, Prajakta Mali, Ankita Prabhu-Walawalkar, and Kedar Joshi all making an appearance. The group walked the red carpet and drew a lot of attention for proudly wearing and representing Maharashtrian culture and fashion. For Ashok Saraf, who is 78 years old, attending Cannes for the first time was a big moment. Their pictures and videos spread like wildfire on social media. Seeing Marathi cinema shine on such a huge global platform made fans very emotional and people online could not stop talking about the mark they have made on the industry over the years.
Ashok Saraf walks red carpet in bandhgala, wife Nivedita stuns in Paithani saree
Making his Cannes debut, Ashok stepped onto the red carpet dressed in a crisp off-white bandhgala coat and pants. He walked hand in hand with his wife Nivedita Saraf, and the couple won many hearts with their sweet chemistry. Nivedita made sure Maharashtrian culture had a strong presence at the French Riviera, turning up in a beautiful pastel-coloured Paithani saree and a stunning nath. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun and adorned with fresh flowers, adding a traditional touch to her overall look. Ankita and Prajakta were also seen embracing their Maharashtrian heritage on the red carpet.
Fans pour love for Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf on social media
Many took to social media to express their excitement and pride. “Great hero Mr. Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf’s red carpet entry at the Cannes Film Festival!” wrote one fan. Another commented, “Marathi legend #AshokSaraf and his wife Nivedita Saraf at Cannes.” A user simply summed it up with “#AshokSaraf LEGEND.” One more fan wrote, “Such dignity such grace such talent- #ashoksaraf and #niveditasaraf..Such simplicity with humility Marathi actors can manage it #marathiactors.”
Ashok Saraf’s journey from Marathi cinema to Padma Shri awardee
Saraf has worked in Marathi films, Hindi films, and theatre, and audiences have loved him for many years. He became famous in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of his most well-known films are ‘Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi’, ‘Dhum Dhadaka’, ‘Balache Baap Brahmachari’, and ‘Aayatya Gharat Gharoba’. Hindi film fans know him best for his role in ‘Karan Arjun’, and the TV show ‘Hum Paanch’ made him very popular in every home across the country. He was given the Maharashtra Bhushan award in 2023 and the Padma Shri in 2025 for his great work in cinema.
Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf’s love story
Ashok and Nivedita are considered one of the most popular couples in Marathi cinema. The two got married in 1990 after working together in many Marathi films and theatre shows. Even though there is an age gap of almost 18 years between them, they share a very strong and loving bond that many people look up to. They have a son named Aniket. Go to Source
