It took just one word for Alia Bhatt to own the room at the BAFTA Awards. As she stepped onto the London stage to present Best Film Not in English Language, she began with a warm “Namaskar” — and the internet has not stopped talking since.
Opening her speech in Hindi at one of British’s most prestigious cinema nights wasn’t just a stylistic flourish. It was a statement. Social media quickly crowned her “iconic”, praising the decision to spotlight her roots on a global platform. For many, it felt less like a debut and more like a quiet cultural takeover.
Why did Alia Bhatt speak in Hindi at BAFTA?
Introduced by host Alan Cumming, Bhatt appeared in a silver gown and greeted the audience with “Namaste” before adding, “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai.” (Next award is for a film that is not in English). She cheekily followed it up with, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before switching to English.
Watch the video here:
The gesture underscored the very spirit of the category she was presenting — celebrating cinema beyond the English language.
What did she say about the power of cinema?
Bhatt stressed that while films “speak in countless voices”, the true language of cinema is universal. On the red carpet, she reflected, “There’s nothing more powerful than human emotion and you don’t need language for that.”
It was a sentiment that resonated deeply in a room dedicated to global storytelling.
Which film won Best Film Not in English Language?
The award went to Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. The film triumphed over strong contenders including It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. With multiple nominations this season, its BAFTA win further strengthens its awards momentum.
Why did the moment matter so much?
For Indian audiences, seeing Hindi spoken confidently on such a stage signalled representation without compromise. Bhatt, whose career blossomed in the Hindi film industry before expanding internationally, seemed to bridge both worlds effortlessly.
One greeting. One global stage. And suddenly, the conversation shifted — from language barriers to shared emotion.
