There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. At the 79th BAFTA Awards held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026, as Jessie Ware’s soulful rendition of The Way We Were filled the auditorium, the screen lit up with faces that shaped cinema forever — and right there, unmistakably, was Dharmendra.
India’s very own “He-Man of Bollywood,” who passed away in November 2025 at the age of 89, was honoured in the In Memoriam segment — placed alongside French screen icon Brigitte Bardot and German legend Udo Kier. For millions of Indian fans watching, it was a deeply emotional, long-overdue global acknowledgement of a career spanning over 60 years and 300+ films.
Table of Contents
India’s Shining Moment at BAFTA 2026
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 79th BAFTA Film Awards |
| Venue | Royal Festival Hall, London |
| Date | February 22, 2026 |
| Dharmendra’s Tribute | In Memoriam segment, alongside global icons |
| Tribute Song | The Way We Were by Jessie Ware |
| Alia Bhatt | Presented award for Film Not in English Language |
| Indian Film Winner | Boong (Manipuri) — Best Children’s & Family Film |
| Boong Producer | Farhan Akhtar’s production house |
A Legend Remembered on the World Stage
Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol in 1935, was one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved stars — a rare combination of rugged action hero, romantic lead, and comic performer. From Phool Aur Patthar to Sholay, his legacy is woven into the very fabric of Indian cinema.
His inclusion at BAFTA wasn’t just a tribute — it was a recognition that great cinema has no borders. The fact that he stood on that memorial reel alongside Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, and Robert Duvall speaks volumes about the global stature he had quietly earned over a lifetime.
India’s Double Celebration at BAFTA
Beyond the tribute, India had two other moments worth celebrating. Alia Bhatt became the talk of the evening when she delivered her presenter speech partly in Hindi — a bold, beautiful assertion of Indian identity on a global platform. And director Laxmipriya Devi’s Manipuri-language film Boong, backed by Farhan Akhtar, took home the Best Children’s and Family Film Award — a historic win for Indian regional cinema.
For more on India’s growing presence at global award shows, we’re tracking every milestone as it unfolds.
FAQs
Q: Why was Dharmendra remembered at BAFTA 2026?
The legendary Bollywood actor passed away in November 2025 at age 89, and BAFTA honoured him in their In Memoriam segment alongside global cinema icons like Gene Hackman and Brigitte Bardot.
Q: Which Indian film won an award at BAFTA 2026?
The Manipuri-language film Boong, backed by Farhan Akhtar’s production house and directed by Laxmipriya Devi, won the prestigious Best Children’s and Family Film Award.
