Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt made a historic debut at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) in London, winning global hearts by beginning her presentation in Hindi. Taking the stage at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Jigra actress opened with a warm “Namaskar” before introducing the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. “Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai,” she said, before playfully telling the audience, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet.” She seamlessly transitioned to English, noting that while movies speak in many voices, they all share the universal language of cinema. For her debut appearance, Alia channeled old Hollywood glamour in a custom silver sequinned Gucci gown paired with a plush white stole—a look inspired by Marilyn Monroe. The moment quickly went viral, with fans and fellow celebrities like Samantha Ruth Prabhu hailing her “iconic” gesture of representing her roots on such a prestigious international platform. On the red carpet, Alia emphasized that human emotion transcends borders and language, a sentiment that resonated as the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value took home the honor she presented.
Alia Bhatt Debuts at BAFTA with Hindi Speech and “Namaskar”
