Mar 16, 2026 11:15am IST
Oscars 2026 ‘In Memoriam’ Leaves Out Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar in Telecast, Names Appear on Academy Website
The 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the iconic Dolby Theatre, with winners and emotional speeches dominating headlines across the world. But one moment that sparked debate among Indian audiences was the annual 'In Memoriam' segment.
During the televised tribute, several global artists who passed away over the past year were honored. However, fans quickly noticed that legendary Bollywood superstar Dharmendra was not included in the on stage montage. The omission prompted strong reactions online, with many viewers questioning why one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic actors had been left out.
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It was not just Dharmendra whose absence caught attention. Fans also pointed out that other prominent Indian film personalities including Manoj Kumar, B. Saroja Devi and Kota Srinivasa Rao were missing from the televised tribute.
However, it later emerged that the Academy had not excluded them entirely. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences published an extended 'In Memoriam' list on its official website, where the names and photographs of Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, B. Saroja Devi and Kota Srinivasa Rao were included among the artists remembered this year.
The Academy often releases a longer digital memorial each year to acknowledge more artists whose contributions to cinema spanned industries and countries, as the broadcast segment typically features only a curated selection due to time constraints.
Meanwhile, the ceremony itself paid tribute to several major Hollywood figures who passed away recently, with the segment remembering icons such as Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Catherine O'Hara and Diane Keaton, among others.
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