From Berlinale to BAFTA: How India’s Cinema Took the World Stage from The Daily Eye #Newsdesk

Berlinale selections to a historic BAFTA win, Indian cinema has captured global attention with powerful regional stories, bold independent voices and restored classics, signalling a confident new era of international recognition.  

In just a fortnight, Indian cinema has not merely participated in global festivals — it has claimed space, accolades and attention that signal a confident new phase of international visibility. From the Berlinale in Berlin to the BAFTA Awards 2026 in London, Indian filmmakers, actors, producers and stories have resonated deeply with audiences and juries alike, marking both critical and symbolic triumphs.

A Powerful Presence at Berlinale 

At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, held from February 12 to 22, India unveiled one of its most comprehensive presences in recent years. Six Indian films were selected across multiple sections of the festival — from contemporary storytelling to documentary experimentation and restored classics.

What made this significant was not merely the number of selections, but the range of voices represented. Indian cinema at Berlin this year reflected a country thinking, questioning and creating across languages and forms — far beyond the familiar boundaries of mainstream commercial filmmaking.  

Among the most celebrated was Rima Das’s Not a Hero, which premiered in the Generation Kplus Competition. Told through the eyes of an 11-year-old navigating emotional transitions between city and countryside, the film captures childhood with rare sensitivity and restraint. Its refusal to follow predictable narrative arcs and its trust in the quiet interiority of its young protagonist earned it a Crystal Bear Special Mention from the international jury.

Experimentation and Form

Indian cinema’s footprint at Berlinale also extended into the Forum and Forum Expanded sections, spaces known for daring, experimental work.

1. Gowtham’s Members of the Problematic Family explored grief and fractured relationships through a deliberately fragmented structure, challenging audiences to engage with emotional complexity in unconventional ways.

Madhusree Dutta’s Flying Tigers turned to archive and testimony, illuminating forgotten wartime histories and their contemporary resonance. Amay Mehrishi’s Abracadabra traced marginalised lives through intimate documentary storytelling, while A Circle as the Center of the Whole by Utkarsh offered a poetic, visually immersive experience that embraced cinema as contemplation.

Completing this spectrum was the restored classic In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, written by Arundhati Roy and directed by Pradip Krishen. Its screening in the Berlinale Classics section placed Indian cinematic heritage alongside global film treasures.  

The BAFTA Breakthrough

Even as Berlin celebrated Indian storytelling, London delivered another defining moment. At the 79th BAFTA Awards 2026, the Manipuri-language film Boong created history by winning Best Children’s & Family Film.

Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Excel Entertainment, Boong triumphed over major international contenders, marking a landmark victory for regional Indian cinema on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Rooted in the landscapes and lived realities of Manipur, the film tells a coming-of-age story that feels both deeply local and universally resonant. In her acceptance speech, Lakshmipriya Devi brought attention to hopes for peace in Manipur, transforming a celebratory moment into one of human solidarity and global awareness.

Amid the celebrations, actor Alia Bhatt also marked a graceful presence at the BAFTA Awards as one of the evening’s presenters. Walking the global stage with quiet confidence, she represented a new generation of Indian actors.

A Moment That Signals Change

What makes this fortnight truly significant is its breadth. Unlike earlier years when Indian representation abroad often centred on one or two films, 2026 reflects a wider cinematic ecosystem stepping forward together.

Assamese cinema, Manipuri storytelling, experimental documentary practice, poetic independent filmmaking and restored classics have all found space and appreciation on global platforms.

From Berlin’s arthouse theatres to London’s grand awards stage, Indian cinema is no longer simply arriving — it is being recognised, celebrated and heard. 

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