# Alia Bhatt Said “Namashkar” at BAFTA 2026 — And the Whole Room Stopped

URL: https://technosports.co.in/alia-bhatt-said-namashkar-at-bafta-2026/  
Published: 2026-02-23  
Updated: 2026-02-23  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

There are celebrity moments, and then there are *moments*. Alia Bhatt’s appearance at the **79th BAFTA Awards** on February 22, 2026, was firmly the latter. The actress didn’t just show up — she made history by opening her presenter speech entirely in **Hindi** on one of the world’s most prestigious film stages. The internet, predictably, lost its mind.

## What Happened at BAFTA 2026?

Alia was invited to present the award for **Film Not In The English Language** at the [British Academy Film Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Academy_Film_Awards), held at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. As she took the podium, instead of the expected polished English opener, she greeted the global audience with a warm *“Namashkar”* — and continued entirely in Hindi.

Her line roughly translated to: *“The next award is for a film that is not in English.”* After leaving the audience visibly confused, she broke into a grin and said, *“Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet”* — before switching seamlessly to English. The crowd erupted.

![BAFTA](https://images.technosports.co.in/2026/02/image-1526.png)

Host Alan Cumming introduced her as *“one of India’s most loved and critically acclaimed actors”* — a fitting tribute for a debut BAFTA appearance that nobody will forget.

## BAFTA Key Highlights at a Glance

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Event** | 79th BAFTA Film Awards |
| **Date** | February 22, 2026 |
| **Venue** | Royal Festival Hall, London |
| **Alia’s Role** | Presenter – Film Not In English |
| **Outfit** | Custom silver Gucci sequined backless gown |
| **India Winner** | *Boong* (Manipuri film) – Best Children’s & Family Film |

## The Look That Matched the Moment

Alia didn’t just deliver verbally — she dressed for the occasion too. Her custom **silver Gucci sequined halter-neck backless gown**, paired with diamond earrings and a cocktail ring, was both elegant and bold. No heavy makeup, just effortless confidence. In one evening, she managed to represent Indian cinema both on screen *and* on the red carpet.

It’s also worth noting that India had a strong showing at the BAFTAs this year — the Manipuri-language film **Boong**, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the **Best Children’s and Family Film** award, making it a proud night all around.

Want more Bollywood and awards coverage? Check out our [BAFTA 2026 full coverage on TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in) and our roundup of [best Bollywood moments at global award shows](https://technosports.co.in) to relive every iconic instant.

## FAQs

### **Q: What award did Alia Bhatt present at BAFTA 2026?**

She presented the award for Film Not In The English Language at the 79th British Academy Film Awards held in London on February 22, 2026.

### **Q: Which Indian film won at BAFTA 2026?**

  
The Manipuri-language film *Boong*, backed by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, took home the Best Children’s and Family Film award — a proud win for Indian cinema.