Alia Bhatt's BAFTA 2026 debut: From a custom Red Carpet look, to her Hindi speech with 'Namaskar', here are all the highlights

Alia Bhatt turned heads on the BAFTA 2026 red carpet at the Royal Festival Hall in London on February 22, 2026, making her debut as a presenter. The Bollywood star presented the Best Film Not in the English Language award, blending Hindi and English film cinema in a memorable moment.

Alia Bhatt wore a custom Gucci silver sequinned gown paired with a plush white shearling wrap for the event. She joined stars like Timothee Chalamet, Monica Bellucci, Emma Stone, Patrick Dempsey, Gillian Anderson, and Teyana Taylor on the carpet. Talking about her look with British Vogue, Alia Bhatt 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 drew from iconic figures for her style. She revealed her inspirations: “Brigitte Bardot for her hair, Monica Bellucci for her vibe, Rekha for her beauty,” she told the abovestated portal. The nod to Indian cinema legend Rekha underscored Alia Bhatt’s roots amid her international spotlight.

Alia Bhatt gave a touching mention to young British-Indian actor Owen Cooper during the evening. Known for his roles in projects like “The Salisbury Poisonings,” Owen Cooper received praise from Alia Bhatt, a gesture celebrated by emerging talent bridging cultures. Alia Bhatt noted, “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,” she gushed.

On stage, Alia Bhatt captivated with a bilingual introduction after host Alan Cumming’s setup. She began with “Namaskar” and said in Hindi, “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai.” Alia Bhatt quipped, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before adding in English, “While films speak in countless voices, what we celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one, we all speak fluently.” She further added, “Emotion is what really connects people to a film. You don’t necessarily have to understand the words being said.”

Family took center stage in Alia Bhatt’s reflections. Asked what excites her about BAFTA and films, Alia Bhatt said at the event, “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. But I have to say that my true source of inspiration and magic right now is my daughter. Look at her bloom, dancing to my songs, I feel that is life.” She called daughter Raha Kapoor her “true inspiration,” noting, “she’s three now, dancing to my songs.”

Alia Bhatt emphasized cinema’s universal power on the red carpet. She said, “There’s nothing more powerful than human emotion, and you don’t need language for that.” Reflecting on her journey, Alia Bhatt added, “My career started and blossomed in the Hindi film Industry. We may be divided by language or borders, but the language of cinema brings us together.” When asked about future UK work, she replied, “Let’s put it out there.” Fans hailed the moment as “iconic” online.