It was a moment that blended glamour with cultural pride. Making her debut at the 79th BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards in London, Alia Bhatt stepped onto the stage at the Royal Festival Hall and greeted the audience with a warm “Namaskar.”
After a brief introduction by host Alan Cumming, the actor went on to the stage to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, and she began her announcement in Hindi. “Namaskar! Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai,” She then translated it for the global audience with a smile, adding, “Don't reach for the subtitles just yet. 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.”
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The gesture quickly went viral online, with fans praising her for bringing Hindi to one of the world's most prestigious film platforms.
Bhatt highlighted cinema's unifying power, noting that although films “speak in countless voices”, their emotional impact goes beyond words. Reflecting on the red carpet, she said, “There's nothing more powerful than human emotion and you don't need language for that.” She also spoke about her journey, adding, “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.”
The award eventually went to the Norwegian film Sentimental Value. The film went on to win in a highly competitive category, surpassing fellow nominees It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab.
For her BAFTA debut, Alia opted for a custom silver sequinned Gucci gown designed by Demna, paired with a white stole that channelled classic old Hollywood glamour. Styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray, she said ahead of the ceremony that she “wanted to bring the glam.” Sharing the presenters' line-up with international stars such as Cillian Murphy and Kate Hudson, the appearance marked another major global milestone in her career.
While the fashion turned heads, it was her “Namaskar” that truly made the moment memorable.
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