The winners and nominees of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards have been announced. One Battle After Another won six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for I Swear. Jessie Buckley took Best Actress for Hamnet, which also won Outstanding British Film. Sentimental Value won Best Film Not in the English Language. Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another. Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for Sinners. Zootropolis 2 was named Best Animated Film. Robert Aramayo also received the Rising Star award, voted for by the public. Mr Nobody Against Putin won Best Documentary. (PC: Sky News)

Actor Alia Bhatt made her debut at the 2026 BAFTAs in London and began her speech with a warm “Namaskar.” She presented the award for Best Film Not in the English Language at the Royal Festival Hall. Starting in Hindi, she said, “Namaskar. Agla award ek aise film ke liye hain, jo angrezi me nahi hai.” She then joked, asking the audience to “not switch to the subtitles yet.” Alia said, “While films speak in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema.” Norwegian drama Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, won the award. Fans in India praised her speech on social media. 

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt made a memorable impression at BAFTA 2026, presenting the award for Best Film Not in the English Language at London's Royal Festival Hall. Following in the footsteps of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, Alia brought unmistakable desi charm to the global stage, greeting the audience with a warm "Namaskar" before introducing the award entirely in Hindi, then translating for the international audience. Her witty speech "Don't reach for the subtitles just yet" drew widespread applause. On the red carpet, the Love & War actress channelled Marilyn Monroe in a custom silver Gucci gown paired with a white stole. The award itself went to Norwegian film Sentimental Value.

India scripted history at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards as Manipuri-language film Boong claimed the Best Children's and Family Film award becoming the first Indian film ever to win this prestigious category. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, and others, Boong defeated international contenders including Zootopia 2 and Lilo & Stitch at London's Royal Festival Hall. Director Lakshmipriya Devi delivered a deeply emotional acceptance speech, praying for peace in conflict-ridden Manipur and for displaced child actors to reclaim their joy and innocence. The film, which tells the story of a young Manipuri boy searching for his missing father, premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Robert Aramayo made BAFTA history on Sunday night by becoming the first performer ever to win both the Rising Star and Leading Actor awards in a single evening. The English actor claimed Best Actor for his portrayal of Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson in the British film I Swear, stunning audiences by defeating heavyweight contenders including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Kerry Washington announced his name, visibly shocking Aramayo himself. In his acceptance speech, the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star expressed disbelief and paid heartfelt tribute to fellow nominee Ethan Hawke, crediting a Juilliard talk by Hawke on an actor's longevity as profoundly shaping his own career journey.

Actor Alia Bhatt will present an award at the 79th BAFTA Awards in London. The British Academy confirmed her name in the presenter lineup. The ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Royal Festival Hall. The awards recognise excellence in international cinema. Bhatt shared the update on Instagram by reposting BAFTA’s post. She wrote, “100 points if you can spot me.” She will appear alongside presenters such as Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, Bryan Cranston and Alicia Vikander. Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi will also attend, with her film Boong nominated in the children’s and family film category. (PC: NDTV)

Veteran Hollywood actor Robert Duvall has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall confirmed. He passed away peacefully at home. She said, “Bob passed away peacefully at home” and called him “one of the greatest actors of our time.” Duvall won an Oscar for Best Actor for Tender Mercies and received six other nominations. He was widely known for playing Tom Hagen in The Godfather and Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. His career lasted over six decades. He worked in lead and supporting roles and also directed films and television projects. 

Actor-director Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood acting debut in filmmaker Sam Mendes’ multi-part project on The Beatles. According to Variety, Akhtar will play sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who influenced George Harrison and helped bring Indian classical music into the band’s sound in the 1960s. The four-film series will tell the band’s story from each member’s point of view and is planned for an April 2028 theatrical release. Akhtar earlier appeared in the web series Ms Marvel. The casting news comes as reports continue around creative and financial disagreements linked to his film Don 3 and actor Ranveer Singh. (PC: X)

Pop singer Britney Spears has sold the rights to her full music catalogue to independent publisher Primary Wave for about $200 million, according to media reports. The deal was completed on 30 December, though exact terms were not made public. Spears is known for major hits like “…Baby One More Time,” “Oops!... I Did It Again,” “Toxic,” and “Gimme More.” Primary Wave did not comment on the purchase, and Spears’ representatives also declined to respond. In 2024, Spears said she would “never return to the music industry.” Her last release was a 2022 duet with Elton John. Many top artists have recently sold their catalogues. (PC: BBC)

Several actors and politicians have offered support to Rajpal Yadav after he surrendered in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case. The actor is currently in Tihar jail. The case is linked to losses from his 2010 film. The Delhi High Court refused to extend his surrender deadline.   Sonu Sood offered him a film and advance payment. Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan and Varun Dhawan also showed support. Singer Guru Randhawa paid an advance for a music video. Tej Pratap Yadav announced ₹11 lakh in aid. Others urged the industry to stand with him. (PC: PTI)