"What we celebrate is the language of cinema."
Alia Bhatt captivated a global audience while presenting the award for Best Film Not in English Language at the BAFTA Awards 2026.
She stepped onto the stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London and began her address by saying the word “Namaskar” while standing before a very large and appreciative global audience.
The actress followed this greeting with a bilingual introduction that highlighted the universal power of cinema for the crowd.
She said: “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai.”
Alia Bhatt then joked that the audience should not reach for their subtitles just yet during the prestigious ceremony.
She said: “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet.
“While films speak in countless voices, what we celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one, we all speak fluently.”
She stated that there is nothing more powerful than human emotion, which transcends any specific language or national border.
She said: “Emotion is what really connects people to a film. You don’t necessarily have to understand the words being said.”
Making her debut as a presenter, the star joined international celebrities like Emma Stone and the actor Timothee Chalamet.
She turned heads on the red carpet wearing a custom Gucci silver sequinned gown with a plush white wrap.
The silver gown glittered under the lights of the Royal Festival Hall as she walked across the main stage.
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The actress told British Vogue that she wanted to bring glamour while keeping her overall look very light and elegant.
She said: “Because I’m a presenter, I wanted to bring the glam, but also keep it really elegant, nothing overwhelming. It sits really lightly on the body.”
Alia Bhatt revealed that she looked towards legendary figures such as Brigitte Bardot and the Indian icon Rekha for her style inspiration.
She said: “Brigitte Bardot for her hair, Monica Bellucci for her vibe, Rekha for her beauty.”
During her reflections on the red carpet, the actress spoke about her career and her deep love for cinema.
She said: “I think I say this all the time that I came out of my mother’s womb on action. I feel myself in front of the camera.
“Being in front of the camera is a blessing to me. I feel so grateful that I love my job so deeply.”
Alia Bhatt also took a moment to praise the young British Indian actor Owen Cooper during the star-studded evening.
She said: “He’s so special. He’s someone I would just walk up to and say I’m really looking forward to all the work that you’ll do.”
When asked about potential future work within the United Kingdom, she suggested that they should put the idea out there.
Her appearance at the event was hailed as iconic by many fans who followed the ceremony live on the internet.
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