Bollywood star Alia Bhatt made a striking and heartfelt debut at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, proudly bringing a touch of India to one of cinema’s most prestigious global platforms. Held on February 22 at London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall, the ceremony saw Alia step onto the BAFTA stage for the very first time — not as a nominee, but as a presenter.
And she made sure her moment counted.
As she walked on stage with poise and confidence, Alia opened her speech with a warm “Namaskar,” instantly creating a powerful cultural connection before switching seamlessly to English. She was there to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, but her opening words quickly became the highlight of the night.
“Namaskar! Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai,” she said with a smile, before playfully adding, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet.”
She went on to explain that she had simply introduced the category in Hindi, emphasizing how cinema transcends language barriers.
“While film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema — and that is one we all speak fluently,” she noted, earning warm appreciation from the audience.
Alia then announced the nominees: It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sirāt, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. Ultimately, Sentimental Value took home the honour.
Soon after, clips of her greeting in Hindi began circulating online, going viral across social media. Fans applauded her for representing Indian culture on a global stage, calling the moment “iconic” and a step forward for cultural inclusivity in international cinema spaces.
But her impact wasn’t limited to words alone.
For her red carpet debut at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, Alia stunned in a custom silver sequinned halter-neck gown by Gucci. The shimmering ensemble, adorned with delicate microbeads and paired with a soft white fur stole, perfectly blended elegance with modern glamour.
Sharing the stage with global stars like Aimee Lou Wood, Aaron Pierre, Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, Ethan Hawke, Glenn Close, and Kate Hudson, Alia’s presence marked a proud moment not just for her, but for Indian cinema as a whole.
With one graceful “Namaskar,” she reminded the world that stories may come from different cultures — but cinema speaks to everyone.
