Hema Malini Voices Disappointment Over Dharmendra's Oscars 2026 Memorial Snub
The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15 in Los Angeles, was broadcast live in India during the early hours of Monday. While Indian audiences eagerly tuned in, the event sparked controversy when veteran actor Dharmendra was not mentioned during the live 'In Memoriam' tribute segment.
Confusion Over Memorial Inclusion
Many fans initially believed the late actor had been completely overlooked. However, it was later clarified that both Dharmendra and fellow actor Manoj Kumar were included in the 'In Memoriam' section on the official Oscars website. This discrepancy between the live broadcast and online content led to widespread confusion and disappointment among Indian viewers.
Hema Malini's Emotional Response
Amid the growing reactions, veteran actress and politician Hema Malini shared her thoughts with Bollywood Hungama. "It is a shame, of course," she stated. "A shame for them to have overlooked an actor who means so many things to so many people in many parts of the world. Dharamji was known and recognised everywhere."
Malini reflected on Dharmendra's career, noting his limited recognition during his lifetime. "He never got too many awards during his lifetime. Why should he care about the Oscars? Both of us, we were happy to be loved in our country. But awards always eluded him. Even I didn’t get any award for my best performances in Lal Patthar and Meera," she added, highlighting broader issues of award recognition in Indian cinema.
Social Media Erupts with Fan Outrage
Following the Oscars telecast, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from disappointed Indian fans. One user tweeted angrily: "#Oscars or just a Hollywood PR show? Disgraceful to snub Bollywood legend Dharmendra in the 'In Memoriam' tribute after 60 years of cinema."
Another comment read: "The Oscars showed a list of people who passed away last year, yet didn’t mention Dharmendra, a legendary Indian actor who gave his entire life to cinema. Why so much hype when our icons get no recognition? After all, it’s mainly a Hollywood show, not truly international. #Oscars."
These reactions largely occurred before fans became aware that Dharmendra's name was listed on the Oscars website, underscoring the emotional impact of the live broadcast omission.
Contrast with Hollywood Tributes
The live 'In Memoriam' segment paid tribute to several late Hollywood icons, including:
- Annie Hall's Diane Keaton
- Schitt’s Creek's Catherine O’Hara
- Actor-filmmaker Robert Redford
- German actor Udo Kier
- When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner
- The Godfather's Robert Duvall
- The French Connection's Gene Hackman
- Top Gun's Val Kilmer
This focus on Western figures further fueled perceptions that the Oscars remain predominantly Hollywood-centric, despite its global audience.
Broader Implications for International Recognition
The incident has reignited discussions about the representation of international cinema at major awards like the Oscars. While the Academy has made efforts to diversify in recent years, omissions such as Dharmendra's from the live broadcast highlight ongoing challenges in acknowledging non-Western legends.
Fans and industry insiders alike are calling for more inclusive practices in memorial segments, ensuring that global icons receive equal recognition during these high-profile events.
