Alia Bhatt`s BAFTA Debut Speech In Hindi Goes Viral As She Opens With "Namaskar"
Updated on: 23 February, 2026 04:23 PM IST |Shweta Shah
Alia Bhatt`s BAFTA speech in Hindi receives applause
Alia Bhatt has been turning heads at the BAFTA red carpet as she made her debut as a presenter at the 79th British Academy Film Awards. Held at London`s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, February 22, the actress took the internet by surprise with her opening speech.
Alia attended the prestigious film event to present the Best Film Not in the English Language category. She started her speech in Hindi, winning applause by netizens and fans online.
The Raazi actress greeted the crowd with a signature "Namaskar!"
She went on to say, "Namaskar! Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai. Don`t reach for the subtitles just yet. I was only saying in Hindi that the next award is for a film not in the English language. Because while film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one we all speak fluently."
Also Read: Alia Bhatt Gives Old Hollywood Vibe At BAFTA, See Her Look
The award for Best Film Not in the English language, I went to the Norwegian movie Sentimental Value. Watch the video here.
Alia bhatt presenting the award to film not in english language at Bafta`s - the winners are sentimental value pic.twitter.com/XBq6bLsCMI
— (@lordofkong) February 22, 2026
What did Alia Bhatt wear to BAFTA?
The Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani actress slayed at the red carpet with a sensational bespoke Gucci gown, channelling the iconic Marilyn Monroe and giving an old Hollywood vibe.
Her halter-neck shimmery silver-sequin gown was embroidered with delicate microbeads, giving a cinematic glow. She completed her look with a fluffy white stole draped over her arms.
Also Read: Alia Bhatt Opens Up About Her Struggles With ADHD and Anxiety
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Ahead of her stage appearance, Alia told British Vogue that she "wanted to bring the glam".
For the big night, Alia Bhatt was joined by a list of elite presenters and artists from across the globe, including Alicia Vikander, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, Sadie Sink, Patrick Dempsey, Delroy Lindo, Emily Watson, Ethan Hawke, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Hannah Waddingham, Monica Bellucci, Rege-Jean Page, Riz Ahmed, and Stellan Skarsgard.
ICYMI, Alia is not the first Bollywood diva to have walked the BAFTA red carpet as a presenter. Before her, it was Priyanka Chopra who appeared as a presenter in 2021, followed by Deepika Padukone in 2024.
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