New Delhi, Feb 23 (.) Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu publicly applauded Alia Bhatt after the Bollywood star made her debut as an award presenter at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), opening her speech in Hindi, a moment that quickly captured global attention online.
On Monday, Samantha shared a video of Alia’s BAFTA appearance on her Instagram Stories, adding a white heart emoji and tagging Alia, signaling her appreciation for the actor’s confident and culturally rooted presence on the international stage. Fans were quick to notice the gesture, praising the show of camaraderie between the two leading Indian actresses.
Alia, presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, began her address with a warm “Namaskar!” before introducing the category in Hindi. She then switched to English, emphasiing that while films are made in many languages, the language of cinema itself is universal.
The Alpha actor said, “Agla award ek aise film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai” (The next award is for a film that is not in English). She followed it with a cheeky, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” before continuing in English. Bhatt highlighted that films “speak in countless voices,” but cinema’s language transcends all borders.
With this appearance, Alia became only the third Indian actor to present at the BAFTAs, following Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Deepika Padukone.
For the occasion, Alia wore a silver sequinned gown paired with a white fur stole, channeling classic Hollywood glamour reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe.
Both stars have busy projects ahead. Samantha will next appear in Maa Inti Bangaaram, directed by Nandini Reddy, releasing worldwide on May 15, and is also part of Raj & DK’s upcoming series Rakt Brahmand.
Alia is gearing up for the release of ‘Alpha’, directed by Shiv Rawail, marking her entry into Yash Raj Films’ spy universe. She will also star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Love & War’, alongside Vicky Kaushal and Ranbir Kapoor.
. MI ARN