Komal Thacker: The Gujarati Actress Taking Regional Cinema to the Global Stage

Komal Thacker has steadily carved a distinctive space for herself in the Gujarati entertainment industry, with a career that extends across regional cinema, Hindi films, OTT and short-form storytelling. But what sets her journey apart is her continued association with the Cannes Film Festival, where she has been invited year after year, becoming a familiar Gujarati face on one of the world’s most prestigious international film platforms.

For Komal, Cannes is more than a red carpet appearance. It represents an opportunity to showcase Gujarati talent, culture and cinema to a global audience. Her journey has also taken her beyond Gujarati cinema, with her playing the leading role in the Hindi film My Father Iqbal and exploring the OTT space with the short film Behind One Step.

INTERVIEW WITH KOMAL THACKER

1. How does it feel to be the only Gujarati actor who gets invited to Cannes for the festival every year?

It’s honestly a very special feeling and a matter of great pride for me. Cannes has been a beautiful part of my journey, and representing Gujarati cinema on an international platform is something I deeply value. I see it not just as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to put Gujarati talent, culture and cinema on a global map. Every invitation feels like a reminder to keep growing and representing my industry with dignity.

2. Gujarati cinema is not gaining momentum. What’s your take on it?

I wouldn’t say Gujarati cinema is not gaining momentum. I think it is evolving, but like every industry, it has its own challenges. We have incredible talent, stories and filmmakers, and the audience is also becoming much more open to different kinds of cinema. What we need is more experimentation, stronger storytelling and bigger platforms. I genuinely believe Gujarati cinema has the potential to travel far beyond Gujarat, and I’m very optimistic about its future.

3. Any plans for Bollywood or web series?

Absolutely. I’ve already had my journey in Hindi cinema, where I played the leading role in My Father Iqbal, and I’ve also explored the OTT space with my short film Behind One Step. So Hindi cinema and OTT are definitely not new territories for me.

I’m now looking forward to taking that journey further and exploring more challenging and meaningful characters. I’ve always believed that an actor should never limit herself to one language or one medium. For me, it’s about choosing the right script and a character that genuinely excites me. When the right opportunity comes, I would love to take that leap.

4. What’s your next project and with whom?

My next project is Kasturi, which is a very exciting project for me. I’m really looking forward to bringing this character to the audience because it’s a space where I get to explore something different as an actor. I’d rather not reveal too many details just yet, but there are some interesting things coming up, and I think the audience will enjoy what’s next.