23-FEB-2026, 12:29 PM, BAFTA had confirmed Alia Bhatt as one of the presenters for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards ahead of the ceremony.
The event was hosted by actor Alan Cumming at the Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank Centre. BAFTA’s official list of presenters included Bhatt alongside several international film personalities.
Her appearance marked another significant moment for Indian cinema at the British Academy Film Awards.
Bhatt joined a small group of Indian actors who have presented at the BAFTAs. Her appearance also came at a time when Indian films and performers continue to receive increasing attention on international platforms.
Alia Opens Her Speech in Hindi
One of the most discussed parts of Bhatt’s appearance was her decision to begin her presentation in Hindi.
After being introduced on stage, she greeted the audience with “Namaskar” before introducing the award category in Hindi.
She then moved into English, explaining the importance of cinema across languages.
The moment was particularly appropriate because she was presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language.
According to India Today, Bhatt introduced the category in Hindi before playfully telling the audience not to reach for the subtitles just yet. She then continued her presentation in English.
What Was the Award She Presented?
Bhatt presented the award for Best Film Not in the English Language.
The category celebrates films made outside the English-language mainstream and highlights the international nature of cinema.
The 2026 award was won by the Norwegian film Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. BAFTA’s official results list confirms the film as the winner in the category.
Bhatt’s decision to use Hindi while introducing the category therefore connected her presentation directly with the theme of international and multilingual cinema.
Why Her Hindi Speech Got Attention
Bhatt’s Hindi introduction quickly became a talking point online.
For many Indian viewers, the decision to use Hindi on such a major international stage was seen as a way of highlighting India’s linguistic and cultural identity.
The response also reflected a wider interest in how Indian actors represent the country’s cinema at international events.
India Today reported that social media users praised the gesture, while other coverage noted the attention generated by her Hindi introduction.
Rather than delivering the entire presentation in Hindi, Bhatt used Hindi for the opening before moving into English.
This allowed her to acknowledge her Indian identity while ensuring that the presentation remained accessible to the international audience.
Alia Bhatt Talks About Cinema and Representation
During her BAFTA appearance, Bhatt also spoke about the ability of cinema to connect people across languages and borders.
Her remarks focused on the idea that films can communicate emotions and stories even when audiences do not speak the language used in a particular movie.
That message was especially relevant to the category she was presenting.
International cinema has increasingly become accessible to global audiences through subtitles, dubbing and streaming platforms.
As a result, films produced outside Hollywood and the English-speaking world can now reach viewers across multiple countries.
Indian Representation at BAFTA 2026
Bhatt was not the only Indian representative at the 2026 BAFTAs.
Indian filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, along with producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, were also present at the ceremony in connection with the film Boong.
Bhatt’s appearance nevertheless received particular attention because she was one of the evening’s presenters and appeared on the main BAFTA stage.
Her appearance also followed previous Indian stars who have appeared at the BAFTAs, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Deepika Padukone.
Alia’s BAFTA Look
Bhatt also attracted attention for her red-carpet appearance.
She wore a silver sequined gown paired with a white stole for the occasion.
Entertainment coverage highlighted the look as part of her first BAFTA appearance, with comparisons being made to classic Hollywood glamour.
Her appearance combined the traditional glamour associated with major international awards ceremonies with elements that drew attention from Indian audiences.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu Praises Alia
The response to Bhatt’s BAFTA appearance also came from within the Indian film industry.
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared a video of Bhatt’s BAFTA appearance on her Instagram Stories and tagged her with a white heart emoji.
The gesture was widely interpreted as a show of support for Bhatt’s international appearance and her decision to introduce the award in Hindi.
This added another layer to the response surrounding Bhatt’s debut.
Why the Moment Matters for Indian Cinema
Indian cinema has long had an international audience, but appearances by Indian actors at major global film events continue to attract significant attention.
For Indian performers, international awards ceremonies provide an opportunity to represent the country’s film industry beyond the domestic market.
Bhatt’s BAFTA appearance was particularly notable because she did not simply appear on the red carpet.
She took part in the ceremony as an official presenter, appearing on stage to introduce an award category.
Her use of Hindi also made the moment more closely connected to Indian audiences.
BAFTA 2026 and Global Cinema
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards reflected the increasingly international nature of cinema.
The ceremony recognised films and filmmakers from different countries and languages, while the Best Film Not in the English Language category specifically celebrated work produced outside the English-language mainstream.
BAFTA’s official results show that Sentimental Value won the category, highlighting the organisation’s recognition of international filmmaking.
Bhatt’s presentation therefore fit naturally into the broader theme of global cinema.
What Alia’s BAFTA Appearance Means for Her Career
The BAFTA appearance adds another international milestone to Bhatt’s career.
She has already worked across Hindi-language cinema and international productions, and her presence at one of Britain’s major film awards further increases her visibility outside India.
However, it is important to distinguish her BAFTA role from an award nomination or win.
Bhatt did not win a BAFTA for a performance at the 2026 ceremony.
She attended as a presenter and introduced an award category.
That distinction is important when reporting the event accurately.
Conclusion
Alia Bhatt’s BAFTA 2026 appearance became a talking point after she opened her presentation in Hindi and then switched to English while presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language.
Her decision to begin with “Namaskar” connected the international ceremony with her Indian identity and drew positive reactions from many viewers.
The appearance also highlighted the growing visibility of Indian actors and filmmakers at major international film events.
While Bhatt did not receive a BAFTA award for a performance, her role as a presenter gave her an opportunity to represent Indian cinema on a major global stage.
The moment ultimately reflected the wider reach of Indian cinema and the increasingly international nature of the global film industry.
Sources: BAFTA, India Today and NDTV.
