Alia Bhatt made a dazzling debut as a presenter at the BAFTA Film Awards 2026, turning heads on the red carpet at the Royal Festival Hall in London on February 22. The Bollywood star not only brought glamour to the prestigious event but also delivered a powerful message about the universal language of cinema.
Alia took to the stage to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, creating a memorable cross-cultural moment by blending Hindi and English in her introduction. Dressed in a custom Gucci silver sequinned gown paired with a plush white shearling wrap, she embodied understated elegance. Speaking to British Vogue about her look, Alia shared, “Because I’m a presenter, I wanted to bring the glam, but also keep it really elegant, nothing overwhelming. It sits really lightly on the body.”
The shimmering gown struck a balance between red-carpet drama and refined sophistication, allowing her natural poise to shine. She joined an illustrious lineup of global stars including Timothée Chalamet, Monica Bellucci, Emma Stone, Patrick Dempsey, Gillian Anderson, and Teyana Taylor on the carpet, confidently representing Indian cinema on a global stage.
Alia revealed that her look was inspired by a mix of iconic figures. “Brigitte Bardot for her hair, Monica Bellucci for her vibe, Rekha for her beauty,” she said, referencing timeless style influences. Her nod to legendary Indian actress Rekha highlighted her deep connection to her roots, even as she embraced an international spotlight.
One of the evening’s heartwarming moments came when Alia gave a special mention to young British-Indian actor Owen Cooper, known for projects such as The Salisbury Poisonings. Praising his promise, she said, “He’s so special. He’s someone I would just walk up to and say I’m really looking forward to all the work that you’ll do.” Her encouragement of emerging cross-cultural talent resonated widely online.
On stage, Alia captivated the audience with a bilingual introduction following host Alan Cumming’s setup. She began with a warm “Namaskar” and continued in Hindi: “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai.” She playfully added, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before switching to English: “While films speak in countless voices, what we celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one, we all speak fluently.” Emphasizing emotion as cinema’s core, she noted, “You don’t necessarily have to understand the words being said.”
Family also featured prominently in Alia’s reflections. Speaking about what excites her most about cinema and the BAFTAs, she shared, “I came out of my mother’s womb on action. I feel myself in front of the camera. Being in front of the camera is a blessing to me.” However, she revealed that her greatest inspiration today is her daughter, Raha Kapoor. “She’s three now, dancing to my songs. That is life,” Alia said, calling her daughter her “true inspiration.”
Reinforcing cinema’s universal power, she stated on the red carpet, “There’s nothing more powerful than human emotion, and you don’t need language for that.” Reflecting on her journey, she added, “My career started and blossomed in the Hindi film industry. We may be divided by language or borders, but the language of cinema brings us together.” When asked about the possibility of future UK projects, she smiled and said, “Let’s put it out there.”
Fans quickly hailed her BAFTA debut as “iconic,” celebrating both her style and her message of unity through film.
