The Viral "Namaskar" Moment
Introduced by host Alan Cumming, Alia took the stage to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. She chose to break the linguistic barrier immediately:
The Speech: She opened with a warm "Namaskar" and followed it with a sentence in Hindi: "Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai." (The next award is for a film that is not in English).
The Witty Twist: As the audience looked for translation, she cheekily added, "Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet," before translating her words into English.
The Message: She emphasized that while films speak in countless voices, the "language of cinema" is one we all speak fluently.
The internet has since crowned the moment as "iconic" and "chic," praising her for representing Hindi cinema without compromise on a global stage.
Fashion: Old Hollywood Glamour
As the first Indian global ambassador for Gucci, Alia’s red-carpet look was a masterclass in elegant nostalgia.
The Gown: She wore a custom silver sequinned Gucci gown designed by Demna. The floor-length, backless ensemble featured a halter neck and side cut-outs that shimmered under the Royal Festival Hall lights.
The Inspiration: Styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray, the look was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Alia specifically cited a vintage photo of Monroe in a shimmering dress with a fluffy wrap as her muse.
The Accessories: To combat London’s chilly February weather with style, she draped a plush white shearling stole over her arms. She finished the look with star-adorned dangling earrings and her signature minimal "rose pink" makeup.
Personal Highlights: Raha as "Magic"
On the red carpet, Alia shared a touching update about her 3-year-old daughter, Raha Kapoor:
"I have to say that my true source of inspiration and magic right now is my daughter. She’s three now and dances to my songs... sometimes I’m like, 'Okay, that is life.'"
She also gave a special shoutout to emerging British-Indian talent Owen Cooper, noting she was "really looking forward" to his future work.
BAFTA Presenter Legacy
Alia joins a prestigious line of Indian actresses who have graced the BAFTA stage as presenters:
2021: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
2024: Deepika Padukone
2026: Alia Bhatt
What’s Next for Alia? The actor is set to headline the YRF Spy Universe film Alpha alongside Sharvari and Bobby Deol, and will also be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War.
