Fans Upset as Dharmendra Left Out of Oscars 2026 In Memoriam Segment
The 98th edition of the Academy Awards on Sunday night featured the traditional In Memoriam segment, honouring notable figures from the film industry who passed away over the past year. However, the absence of Indian cinema legend Dharmendra from the televised tribute left many fans disappointed and sparked discussion on social media.
The emotional segment paid tribute to several prominent figures from Hollywood, with personalities such as Robert Redford and Rob Reiner among those remembered. The ceremony also included heartfelt tributes delivered by celebrated stars including Barbra Streisand and Billy Crystal.
Despite Dharmendra’s towering legacy in Indian cinema, his name did not appear in the memorial video shown during the broadcast. The omission quickly drew reactions from Indian audiences online, with many questioning why a figure of his stature was not included in the televised tribute.
One social media user pointed out that the Oscars honoured a list of personalities who passed away over the past year but did not mention Dharmendra, calling him a legendary actor who devoted his life to cinema. The user also raised concerns about why icons from major non-Hollywood film industries often fail to receive recognition during the ceremony.
While Dharmendra was not featured in the on-air In Memoriam montage, his name did appear on the official remembrance list published on the website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The online acknowledgement highlighted the difference between the ceremony’s broadcast tribute and the more comprehensive list maintained by the Academy.
Dharmendra, widely regarded as one of the most influential stars in the history of Hindi cinema, built a remarkable career spanning several decades and countless iconic films. For many fans, his absence from the televised Oscars tribute underscored the ongoing conversation about the global representation of cinema and the recognition of legends from industries outside Hollywood.
The incident once again sparked debate about how international film icons are honoured on global platforms and whether greater inclusion is needed to reflect the worldwide impact of cinema.
