Alia Bhatt makes her BAFTA debut with a ‘Namaste’ and powerful hindi speech

Alia Bhatt at BAFTA

• Alia Bhatt made her BAFTA debut as a presenter in 2026
• She introduced the Best Film Not in English award partly in Hindi
• "Sentimental Value" won Best Non-English Film at BAFTA.

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Alia Bhatt’s debut at the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards turned out to be a moment to remember.

Arriving at the event in a dazzling silver gown, evoking old Hollywood glamour, she stole the spotlight on the red carpet. But it was her role as a presenter that really caught everyone's attention and warmed the hearts of viewers.

Alia took to the stage with elegance and poise, delivering part of her speech in Hindi as she introduced the award for Best Film Not in the English Language.

After a warm introduction by host Alan Cumming, she greeted the audience with a cheerful "Namaste."

In a delightful twist, she kicked off her presentation with, “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai,” teasing the crowd with a playful, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet.” She quickly clarified that she was simply introducing the category in her mother tongue, before continuing, "While films speak in countless voices, what we celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one, we all speak fluently."

Her words resonated deeply with fans and critics alike, who flooded social media calling the moment “ICONIC.”

Fans were especially touched by Alia's pride in speaking Hindi at an international event, celebrating both her roots and her place on the global stage.

The social media buzz reflected just how much her gesture meant to her audience, and how it bridged the cultural gap with a simple, yet powerful, message.

Also Read: BAFTA awards 2026: Check complete list of winners At The 79th British Academy Film Awards

On the red carpet, Alia reflected on the power of film to bring people together, no matter the language. “There’s nothing more powerful than human emotion and you don’t need language for that,” she shared.X

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.”

The award for Best Film Not in the English Language went to Sentimental Value, a poignant Norwegian family drama directed by Joachim Trier.

The film triumphed in a competitive category, besting other nominees like It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab.

With the win, Sentimental Value is now a serious contender for the Best Foreign Film Oscar, having earned nine nominations, including the prestigious Best Picture nod, a historic first for Norway.