Indians truly stole the spotlight at this year’s BAFTA Awards, delivering both major win and memorable on-stage moments. The 79th British Academy Film Awards, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026, turned into a proud celebration of Indian talent on the global stage.
Among the standout moments was Alia Bhatt’s striking appearance as a presenter. The ‘Raazi’ actress took to the BAFTA 2026 stage to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, marking her debut at the prestigious ceremony and adding another milestone to her growing international journey.
Adding a personal touch, Alia began her presentation in Hindi before translating her words into English for the global audience. “Namaskar. Agla award ek aise film ke liye hai, jo Angrezi mein nahi hai. Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” she said, before explaining that she had just introduced the category in Hindi. She went on to reflect on how cinema transcends words and borders, emphasising that while films speak in countless languages, it is the universal language of storytelling that truly connects people across the world.
Alia Bhatt turned heads on the red carpet in a custom Gucci silver sequined gown, paired with a soft white fur stole that added a timeless elegance. She kept her look refined with loose curls and nude-toned makeup.
At the event, she joined a star-studded lineup of presenters including Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, Bryan Cranston, Gillian Anderson and Riz Ahmed, among others.
On the work front, Alia has two films in the pipeline, ‘Alpha’ and ‘Love & War’. While shooting for Alpha has reportedly wrapped, its release has been delayed. Love & War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, is still in production and has also been postponed, with new dates yet to be announced.
‘Boong’ triumphs at awards
India marked a proud milestone at the 2026 BAFTAs as the Manipuri-language film Boong won Best Children’s & Family Film. Backed by Farhan Akhtar, the heartfelt drama triumphed over strong international contenders like Arco, Lilo & Stitch, and Zootropolis 2.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, the film follows a young boy in Manipur amid social and political unrest, with its title translating to “little boy” in Manipuri. The win is a significant moment for Indian cinema, particularly for the Northeast, highlighting the global appeal of regional storytelling.
The film centres on Boong, portrayed by Gugun Kipgen, a young boy determined to reunite his family by finding his missing father, believing it will restore his mother Mandakini’s happiness. Joined by his best friend Raju, played by Angom Sanamatum, he journeys to Moreh and even crosses into Myanmar in search of him.
Dharmendra honoured in memoriam segment
BAFTA struck an emotional note during its In Memoriam segment by paying tribute to late veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away in November last year. Remembered alongside global cinema icons, his inclusion was a moving acknowledgement of his lasting legacy. Singer Jessie Ware performed a soulful rendition of Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were, as a video montage honoured film personalities the world lost over the past year.
Dharmendra died on November 24 at his Mumbai residence at the age of 89 and was cremated the following day. He is survived by his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children, including actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Esha Deol.
