Amruta Fadnavis said she declined an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
May 16, 2026: Several politicians and public figures have begun supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity measures, with the latest being Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Devendra Fadnavis. Amruta Fadnavis said she had been invited to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival to represent Maharashtra’s culture and heritage, but decided to skip the event following the Prime Minister’s appeal to avoid unnecessary international travel.
Sharing her decision, Amruta said a special Paithani saree showcasing Maharashtrian heritage had been designed for her after months of effort by artisans. However, she chose to prioritise the country over personal appearances abroad. “The red carpet can wait; the nation always comes first,” she said, adding that it was not an easy decision as artisans had worked for nearly three months on the project. She thanked designers and weavers involved in creating the handloom Paithani with Muniya Shela.
Prime Minister Modi recently urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption, postpone gold purchases and avoid unnecessary foreign travel amid the impact of the US-Iran conflict on the global economy and energy supply. Following the appeal, several governments and institutions adopted austerity measures. The Supreme Court of India ordered virtual hearings on select days and encouraged judges to carpool, while state governments including Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh reduced official convoy sizes and promoted eco-friendly commuting methods.