"Don't reach for the subtitles just yet," Alia Bhatt owns BAFTA 2026 with 'Namaskar' before presenting award

Alia Bhatt turned her BAFTA debut into a moment that felt both personal and powerful. The actor stepped onto one of cinema’s most respected global platforms and made sure she carried a piece of home with her.

At the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards held on February 22 at the Royal Festival Hall, Alia appeared as a presenter for the first time. What followed was a greeting that instantly travelled across timelines.

A “Namaskar” That Echoed Beyond London

In a clip shared by the official BAFTAs Instagram page, Alia walked on stage with calm confidence and began with a simple “Namaskar." She then said, “Namaskar! Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai," before cheekily adding, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet."

She later explained the line for the audience, saying, “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." The warmth in her tone made the moment feel natural rather than staged.

Presenting a Global Celebration of Cinema

Alia presented the nominees for Best Film Not in the English Language, including It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. Sentimental Value ultimately took home the honour, capping off a category that celebrated storytelling beyond linguistic boundaries.

Her presence on stage placed her alongside international names such as Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson and Glenn Close, reinforcing the growing visibility of Indian actors at global award shows.

Red Carpet Glam and What Lies Ahead

For her first red carpet appearance at the British Academy ceremony, Alia chose a custom Gucci halter neck gown drenched in silver sequins and delicate microbeads. A white fur stole completed the look, giving her an old school Hollywood glow with a modern edge.

On the professional front, she is preparing for the release of Alpha, an action spy drama co starring Bobby Deol and Sharvari Wagh, scheduled for April 17. She also has Love & War in the pipeline, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. With BAFTA 2026 now added to her journey, Alia Bhatt’s global chapter is clearly just getting started.