Mumbai: Actor Alia Bhatt’s hosting gig at the Screen Awards 2026 has received mixed reactions online, with some praising her for trying something new, while others criticised her performance, calling it “cringe” and pointing out issues with her confidence and delivery.
Alia shared the stage with comedian Zakir Khan and actor Sunil Grover at the Screen Awards 2026 held in Mumbai on Sunday.
Several videos of Alia have been shared on social media. In one clip, she is seen talking about Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mohit Suri and Aditya Dhar.
As the clips went viral, social media users shared their opinions.
One user wrote, “Flat face reactions by guests:”, with another mentioning, “She is not looking confident.”
Another commented, “She’s talking but we r embarrassed”.
A third user wrote, “Comedic timing – 0”.
“Second hand embarrassment sooo hard”, posted one netizen.
“Overacting” and “Everyone seems confused”, wrote some others.
“Why no reaction from the audiences? Itna serious audiences? At least fake laugh,” noted one user.
“Zero stage presence,” felt someone, and another wondered, “Why she is making so many faces”.
“She is copying Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka Chopra used to anchoring in those years like a pro with srk,” observed one user.
One netizen noted, “Boring script, anchoring is not your cup of tea @aliaabhatt please don’t do it again.”
Other comments read — “She is so cringe”, “She us overactng why talking about Aditya Dhar”, “Nobody is laughing. Cringe”, “Trying so hard, what a clown! Look at the flat reactions”, and “She’s trying sp hard… but has failed miserably.”
“She is struggling and nervous. Let actors do what they are best at,” one person commented.
Another wrote, “The poor audience… they must be cringing with secondhand embarrassment….which is completely understandable, given how horrible her screeching and animated facial expressions are- not to mention the terrible comic timing….”
However, some social media users tried to defend Alia, writing, “@aliaabhatt fabulous actress as far as I saw your performances in movies but you e not fit at stage dear”.
“Being a comedian is difficult bro, she is trying so hard,” another commented.
Aneet wins Breakthrough New Actor (Female) at Screen Awards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/O4jv2Cfd4J
— 𝙁𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙃𝘼 (@aneetfied) April 5, 2026
At the Screen Awards 2026, Aditya’s film ‘Dhurandhar’ was the biggest winner, taking home 14 awards. Ranveer Singh won the Best Actor award, and Akshaye Khanna the Best Supporting Actor .
Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ won the Best Film award.
On the work front, Alia will next be seen in ‘Love and War’, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, alongside husband Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.