Alia Bhatt faced heavy online criticism after hosting the Screen Awards 2026 for the first time. She shared the stage with comedian Zakir Khan and actor Sunil Grover on April 5. While some viewers appreciated her effort, many called her performance “cringey,” “overacting,” or “high-pitched.” Others felt her jokes didn’t land and failed to connect with the audience.
Amid the backlash, singer Sona Mohapatra stepped in to support Alia and explain how difficult it is to perform live in front of a Bollywood crowd.
Sona Mohapatra Backs Alia Bhatt
Sona posted a video on April 8 defending Alia’s effort as a live host. She said, “First things first, guys, it was live. Live means no retake, no edit, no filter, no rethink. And honestly, doing such authentic work in Bollywood is a big stunt. Most desi actors won’t even pick up that mic. She gave it a shot and that itself is amazing.”
She also explained why the audience can affect a performance. Bollywood events often feature stars more focused on their outfits, selfies or networking than the stage. Sona added, “Performance is not only on stage when it’s live. The audience and the room in front of you also have to perform… Even when they’re around for a good cause, they’re like dead. Their vibes there will be, ‘My outfit is better than hers’, ‘Which important actor, director’s eye can I catch?’ And oh my God, it’s a tough, tough audience.”
Sona praised celebrities like Ranveer Singh, who genuinely react to performances, and reminded everyone not to compare Alia with Zakir Khan. She said, “He’s an ustad of stand-up. Try getting him to act or dance like Alia, you’ll get your answer.”
Encouraging Alia, Sona concluded, “Next time, I think Alia will do even better. Or Bollywood, learn to laugh a little. It won’t kill you.”
Why Alia Was Criticised
Alia’s hosting debut drew criticism mainly for her awkward delivery and lack of comedic timing. Many viewers felt her “roast-style” jokes fell flat, and viral clips showed a muted response from the celebrity audience.
Many said she tried to imitate Western hosts, which didn’t suit her personality. Specific moments, like a joke about director Mohit Suri, were seen as nervous or shaky.
