BAFTA 2026: Alia Bhatt delivers speech in Hindi as a presenter, Internet awestruck

BAFTA 2026 happened on Sunday, 22 February 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall, London, UK. Alia Bhatt appeared at the award ceremony as one of the presenters that night and surprised the audience. Here's what she did to make her country feel pride.

Alia Bhatt speaks Hindi at the BAFTA 2026

The 79th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA, took place on Sunday, 22 February 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall, London, UK. Alia Bhatt was invited to present an award at the 79th edition of the awards. BAFTA is one of the prestigious award ceremonies in global cinema.

ALIA BHATT’S BAFTA RED CARPET INTERVIEW pic.twitter.com/DFvMRakDyk

— hourly Alia (@AliaHourly) February 22, 2026

During the event, she wore a custom silver sequined gown by Gucci with a halter neck and a soft white fur stole. The dress wasn’t an original vintage Marilyn Monroe dress, but her outfit was inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic Hollywood glamour.

She began with a "Namaskar", and said Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai,” her speaking in English surprised everybody because she never pulled such as a iconic gesture at any international event and spoke in English. She continued with, “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. And the incredible nominees are.”

She presented the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. The winner of that category was the Norwegian film Sentimental Value. Her choosing to speak in her native language grabbed eyeballs because most of the presenters spoke English.

Alia Bhatt at Bafta Red Carpet 📸 pic.twitter.com/2EkIykvMcI

— Alia's nation (@Aliasnation) February 22, 2026

She was heavily praised for representing India and the Hindi Cinema industry in the best possible way. At the red carpet, she said, “Being in front of the camera is a blessing to me. I feel so grateful. I love my job so deeply. But I have to say that my true source of inspiration and magic right now is my daughter. Looking at her, she just blooms — she’s three now and dances to my songs. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Okay, that is life."

Meanwhile, India bagged its first Bafta award with the Manipuri film Boong, which won Best Children’s & Family Film at BAFTA 2026, a historic first for Indian cinema. It was produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.