Actor Alia Bhatt marked a memorable debut at the BAFTA Awards 2026, turning heads on the red carpet and winning hearts with a heartfelt speech delivered partly in Hindi.
Arriving at the prestigious event in a shimmering silver gown inspired by old Hollywood glamour, Alia made a strong fashion statement before stepping into her role as a presenter on stage.
A Warm ‘Namaste’ That Stole the Show
Introduced by host Alan Cumming, Alia greeted the audience with a confident and graceful “Namaste” — immediately setting the tone for a proud cultural moment.
She began presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language with a playful line in Hindi:
“Agla award ek aise film ke liye hai, jo angrezi me nahi hai,”
She added humorously, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before clarifying that she was simply introducing the category in her mother tongue.
Alia then spoke about the universal power of cinema, saying:
“While films speak in countless voices, what we celebrate is the language of cinema — and that one, we all speak fluently.”
Her words resonated strongly across social media, with fans describing the moment as “ICONIC” and praising her for proudly representing Hindi on an international platform.
Red Carpet Reflections
On the red carpet, Alia spoke about how film transcends borders and languages.
“There’s nothing more powerful than human emotion — and you don’t need language for that,” she said.
She further reflected on her journey, noting:
“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.”
Her comments highlighted both her global presence and strong connection to her roots.
Award Winners of the Category
The award for Best Film Not in the English Language went to Sentimental Value, a powerful Norwegian family drama directed by Joachim Trier.
The film competed against strong contenders including:
- It Was Just an Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Sirat
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
With nine nominations — including a historic Best Picture nod — Sentimental Value is now considered a serious contender for the Best Foreign Film Oscar, marking a milestone for Norwegian cinema.
Alia Bhatt’s BAFTA debut proved that cultural pride and global recognition can beautifully coexist on one stage.
