Alia Bhatt delivered her first presentation as a host at the 79th British Academy Film Awards which took place on February 22 2026 at London Royal Festival Hall. Alia started her announcement with a Hindi introduction which brought immediate global attention because it represented a significant achievement for Indian cinema during an important international event.
As she took to the stage to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, Alia greeted the audience with a warm “Namaskar!” and announced, “Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai.” Her choice to open in Hindi was met with surprise and delight, both in the auditorium and across social media platforms. With her signature charm, she quickly reassured the international crowd, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before seamlessly translating her words into English. She went on to celebrate the power of cinema to transcend borders and unite people through storytelling, regardless of language.
This was Alia’s first time as a BAFTA presenter, and she delivered with poise and confidence. The Norwegian film ‘Sentimental Value’ which Joachim Trier directed won the Best Film Not in the English Language award. Alia’s heartfelt gesture received widespread acclaim because people recognized her ability to represent Indian culture and language with elegance on an international stage.
Alia Bhatt showed her sophisticated fashion sense through her custom silver Gucci gown which she paired with a white stole at the red carpet event. Her Hindi opening at BAFTA 2026 represents a major achievement for her culture while showing how Indian artists gain more recognition in international film industries.
