Rajasthani cinema is facing stiff competition from films in different regions and languages at the Rajasthan Film Festival (RFF) 2026, with Rajasthani films receiving 10 nominations across various categories this year.
A total of 30 nominations have been received across the festival’s other regional cinema and Rajasthani cinema sections, with fierce competition expected in major categories including acting, direction, writing, cinematography, music, singing and Best Film among actors and filmmakers.
The Rajasthan Film Festival will be held on 26 September at the Deep Smriti Auditorium in Mansarovar from 7 p.m. Major actors, directors, musicians, singers and filmmakers associated with regional cinema will be honoured at the ceremony.
Among the films featuring major stars this year are those involving actors Jimmy Sheirgill, Raj Kundra and Ashish Sharma, actress Geeta Basra, and singer Shaan.
Jimmy Shergill has also been nominated for an award for a Punjabi film.
20 nominations in other regional cinema and 10 in Rajasthani cinema
This year, 20 nominations were received in the other regional cinema category, while Rajasthani cinema received 10 nominations. The other regional cinema category includes films from various states and linguistic regions of the country. Films and artists from Rajasthani cinema have also received nominations in different categories.
Several films, including Indra, Maa Jaye, Asha, Thalavara, Dheeram, Karpoor, Behadd, Dear Radhi, Sakal Taar Hou Dya, Karakkam, Bara Badhu and Kurla to Vengurla, have found a place on the nomination list for other regional cinema.
Actor Ashish Sharma has been nominated for a Rajasthani film.
In the Rajasthani cinema category, films such as Desi Mukka, Omlo, Chakka Jam, Kayantar, Khejri, Aata 2 and Sanwari have received nominations in various categories.
Prominent names in the acting category
RFF founder-director Sanjana Sharma said that this year, the nominations of Jimmy Sheirgill and Raj Kundra in the Best Actor category in other regional cinema have attracted particular attention.
Alongside them, several talented performers, including Vasant Ravi, Arun Ashokan and Ashish Sharma, have also been nominated in this category.
Meanwhile, the Best Actress category includes prominent names such as Mehreen Pirzada, Rituparna Sengupta and Revathi Sharma. The presence of these artistes has made this year’s nominations even more special.
Singer Shaan has also received a nomination for Best Singer.
Tough competition in the directing and technical categories as well
Anil Jain, the festival’s head of programming, said that acting, along with directing and technical talent, had been given prominence across the festival’s various categories.
The nominees for Best Director and other technical categories include directors such as Arindam Sil, Deepak Patil, Akhil Anilkumar, Jithin Suresh T. and Rohit Dwivedi.
Several talented cinematographers, including Anirban, Faizal Ahmed, Veerdhaval Puranik and Prakash Kutty, have received nominations in the cinematography category.
Harbhajan Singh’s wife, Geeta Basra, has also been nominated at the awards show.
Rajasthani artists’ notable presence in music and singing
Local talent is also making a strong presence felt in the music and singing categories of Rajasthani cinema. Artists such as Moti Khan, Kheta Khan, Chhotu Khan and Ghazi Khan have been nominated.
In addition, other musicians and singers have secured nominations on the strength of their talent. This year, the talent of Barmer’s folk singers and vocalists has also emerged prominently in the music of Rajasthani films. Barmeri singers are giving the music of Rajasthani films a distinct identity through their unique folk singing and voices.
Actor-producer Raj Kundra has also been included among the nominees.
Regional cinema to get a national platform
Sanjana Sharma said that the Rajasthan Film Festival aims to provide regional films, artists and filmmakers with a broad platform and showcase the diversity of Indian cinema to audiences.
This year’s nominations for other regional cinemas and Rajasthani cinema are an important step towards bringing the country’s different languages, cultures and cinematic stories together on one platform.
