Tag: Indian Cinema

Entertainment

Alia Bhatt Wins Hearts with Hindi Opening at BAFTA 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Making a memorable debut at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, Alia Bhatt brought a refreshing desi touch to one of cinema’s most prestigious global platforms. Held at the iconic Royal Festival Hall in London, the ceremony witnessed a moment that quickly became a fan favourite.

Taking the stage as a presenter for the Best Film Not in the English Language category, Alia began her speech with a warm and confident “Namaskar,” instantly capturing attention and admiration. She followed it up with a light-hearted clarification in English, saying, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

Her gesture wasn’t just charming—it symbolised a growing global acceptance and celebration of diverse cultures in mainstream cinema. By choosing to speak in Hindi on such a platform, Alia effortlessly showcased her roots while connecting with an international audience.

The award category featured notable films like It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sirāt, and The Voice of Hind Rajab, with Sentimental Value taking home the honour.

Social media quickly lit up with praise for the actor, with fans calling the moment “iconic,” “classy,” and a proud representation of Indian culture. Many appreciated how naturally she balanced elegance with authenticity, making the moment feel both powerful and personal.

Adding to the glamour of the evening, Alia stunned in a custom silver gown by Gucci, paired with a white stole. Inspired by the timeless style of Marilyn Monroe, her look perfectly complemented the sophistication of the event.

In her own words, shared with British Vogue, Alia expressed her excitement about the appearance, stating that she wanted to bring glamour while keeping the look elegant.

Her BAFTA debut was more than just a red carpet appearance—it was a statement of identity, confidence, and the universal language of cinema that transcends borders.

Films

Boong Makes History: Indian Film Wins Big at 79th BAFTA Awards

Tanisha Cardozo

Indian cinema has reached yet another remarkable milestone on the global stage, as Boong, a Manipuri-language feature film, clinched the prestigious Best Children’s & Family Film award at the British Academy Film Awards. The ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, witnessed the film rise above strong international contenders, marking a proud moment for the country—especially for filmmakers from Northeast India.

Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, Boong is backed by a powerful production team including Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Suitable Pictures. Renowned filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar, along with Ritesh Sidhwani and Alan McAlex, played a key role in bringing the project to life.

Set against the backdrop of Manipur during a period of social and political unrest, Boong tells a deeply emotional story through the eyes of a five-year-old boy. The word “Boong” itself translates to “little boy” in the Manipuri language. The narrative follows the young protagonist, played by Gugun Kipgen, who embarks on a heartfelt journey to reunite his family by finding his estranged father. Accompanied by his friend Raju, portrayed by Angom Sanamatum, the journey takes them to the Moreh border and even across into Myanmar.

What begins as an innocent quest gradually evolves into a poignant exploration of family, loss, and the harsh realities of the world. The film beautifully captures the purity of childhood while presenting an emotionally layered narrative that resonates universally.

Before its BAFTA triumph, Boong had already made waves across the international film festival circuit. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 and was showcased at prestigious platforms such as the Warsaw International Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Following its successful festival run, the film was released theatrically in September 2025.

Speaking about his association with the project, Farhan Akhtar shared that his long-standing connection with director Lakshmipriya Devi and the emotional depth of the story inspired him to support the film. He emphasized the importance of bringing stories from underrepresented regions of India to a global audience, calling Boong a soulful and meaningful narrative.

The film’s victory at the BAFTAs is more than just an award—it represents a breakthrough moment for Northeast Indian cinema. It highlights the richness of regional storytelling and signals a growing global appreciation for diverse voices from India.

As Boong continues to receive international recognition, it stands as a testament to the power of authentic storytelling and the limitless potential of Indian cinema on the world stage.

Entertainment

Niharika Konidela Slams Filmfare Awards South 2026 for Silencing Debut Winners

Tanisha Cardozo

The Filmfare Awards South 2026, held in Kochi to celebrate the best in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema, was a glittering event that brought together the region’s most talented artists. While the ceremony honoured outstanding performances and films like Pushpa 2: The Rule, Amaran, Aadujeevitham, and Bramayugam, actor Niharika Konidela highlighted a notable concern following the event.

Taking to Instagram, Niharika praised the gathering of talent and described being in the room with so many artists as “truly special.” Yet she expressed disappointment that the debut winners from Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada cinema were not given a moment to speak on stage. According to her, for first-time awardees, that stage is more than recognition—it is the realisation of a dream and a platform to inspire audiences. She wrote, “Time constraints are inevitable in a show of this scale, but that one minute shouldn’t be taken away from someone standing on that stage for the first time. Because for them, that one minute may last a lifetime.”

Niharika’s remarks strike a chord in an industry where recognition and visibility play a pivotal role in shaping careers. The ceremony, while celebrating established artists, missed a chance to amplify the voices of emerging talent, a point that Niharika stressed could have made a lasting impression on audiences and fellow artists alike.

Coming from a family deeply rooted in Telugu cinema—she is the daughter of actor-producer Nagendra Babu and niece of megastar Chiranjeevi—Niharika has herself balanced the roles of actor and host, having appeared in films such as Oka Manasu, Suryakantham, and Happy Wedding, and hosted the popular show Dhee Juniors. Her candid observations reflect both personal insight and empathy toward emerging artists navigating the challenges of an industry driven by visibility.

Beyond her professional commentary, Niharika’s personal life has also been in the public eye. She became engaged to Chaitanya Jonnalagadda in a close-knit ceremony in 2020 and announced their divorce in 2023, events that further underline her openness in sharing life experiences alongside her professional journey.

Niharika’s reflections on the awards ceremony serve as a reminder that while accolades celebrate achievement, the moments of recognition on stage—particularly for debutants—carry immense symbolic value. Her call to give first-time winners even a brief opportunity to speak underscores the importance of nurturing new talent and ensuring that the next generation of artists feels seen, heard, and inspired.

Entertainment

Alia Bhatt to Present at the 79th BAFTA Awards

Tanisha Cardozo

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt is set to present an award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, marking another significant step in her expanding global presence. The British Academy recently announced its complete roster of presenters on its official social media platforms, with Alia’s name featured among a distinguished list of international stars.

The Gangubai Kathiawadi actor shared the announcement on her Instagram Stories, playfully writing, “100 points if you can spot me,” sparking excitement among her fans worldwide.

Alia will join a prestigious lineup of presenters including Alicia Vikander, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Monica Bellucci and Riz Ahmed, among others.

Her inclusion reflects the growing recognition of Indian cinema and talent on the global stage. Alia follows in the footsteps of fellow Indian stars such as Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, who have previously served as presenters at the BAFTAs.

India’s presence at the awards extends beyond Alia. Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi will attend the ceremony as her Manipuri film Boong has secured a nomination in the Best Children’s and Family Film category. The film, backed by actor-producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, tells the story of a Manipuri boy, played by Gugun Kipgen, who embarks on a heartfelt journey to surprise his mother with a special gift.

With Alia Bhatt presenting and an Indian film competing for honours, the 79th BAFTA Awards promise to be a proud moment for Indian cinema on the international stage.

National

Rajpal Yadav Surrenders at Tihar Jail After Delhi High Court Denies Relief

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered to the Tihar Jail authorities in Delhi on Thursday following the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant him any relief in connection with his cheque-bounce cases. The court had earlier rejected the actor’s plea seeking an extension of the deadline for his surrender.


According to a report by news agency PTI, a jail source confirmed that Yadav surrendered before the jail authorities at around 4 pm on Thursday. “He surrendered before the jail authorities at 4 pm on Thursday. Now the jail authorities will follow the standard operating procedure,” the source said.

With the surrender completed, jail authorities are expected to proceed in accordance with established protocols as the legal process continues in the matter.