Herein, starch hybrid polyethylhexylacrylate\polyvinyl alcohol (PEHA/PVA‐s) thin films are synthesized by in situ polymerization of ethylhexylacrylate (EHA) with incorporation of hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN). The occurrence of h‐BN nanoparticles in PEHA/PVA‐s thin films is characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images illustrates the embedment of h‐BN nanoparticles in the PEHA/PVA‐s films. It is found that, h‐BN nanoparticles have an average particle size of 100 nm observed with a lattice fringe of 0.35 nm are known from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. The surface and nano‐tribological features of thin films are studied by atomic force microscope (AFM). The thermal conductivity of films is enhanced with increase in h‐BN concentrations. From rheological study, it is observed that, the tan δ value varies from 0.3 to 0.5. The biodegradation, refractive index, and chemical resistance properties of the thin films are studied. The oxygen barrier properties of the thin films are substantially reduced by 18 folds due to incorporation of huddled h‐BN layers. The prepared PEHA/PVA‐s@h‐BN thin films with improved physicochemical behaviors and reduction in gas barrier properties can enable the material for packaging applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1810–1818, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers