The tribute featured Jessie Ware performing “The Way We Were” as global film legends were remembered. Dharmendra was also posthumously honoured this year with the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to cinema.
Screengrab from 'Sholay'
The BAFTA stage glittered, cameras flashed, stars smiled… and then suddenly, the room went silent. Because for a few emotional minutes, cinema paused to remember the legends it lost. And yes, India’s very own Dharmendra aka Dharam paaji was there too.
BAFTA hosted its 79th edition on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. It was a night full of big wins and one deeply touching moment: the In Memoriam tribute that left many teary-eyed.
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Jessie Ware performing “The Way We Were” during ‘In Memoriam’ segment.#EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/E2CYnG4f2x
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— Enjoy The Music (@EnjoyTheMusic9) February 22, 2026
Singer Jessie Ware took the stage and delivered a haunting performance of “The Way We Were,” originally sung by Barbra Streisand. Her voice floated through the hall as photos of legendary film personalities appeared on the giant screen.
And among global icons, one familiar face from India appeared: Dharmendra.
For Indian cinema lovers, this was the moment. Dharmendra, the evergreen hero who passed away on November 24 last year, was honoured alongside global film giants.
The tribute segment also remembered several legendary names from world cinema. The list included screen icons like Diane Keaton, Terence Stamp, Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Tom Stoppard, Brigitte Bardot, Lalo Schifrin, Michael Madsen and Val Kilmer.
Apart from the emotional tribute, the awards night was packed with major wins and milestones. Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ dominated the night with 14 nominations and walked away with six awards.
Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama ‘Sinners’ grabbed three wins, creating history for a Black director at the BAFTAs.
Other films like ‘I Swear’, ‘Frankenstein’, and ‘Hamnet’ also picked up multiple trophies during the ceremony.
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