Oscars 2026 In Memoriam: Dharmendra left out; Rob Reiner, Catherine O'Hara honoured
India Today
The 2026 Oscars In Memoriam segment sparked disappointment among Indian cinema fans following the omission of legendary actor Dharmendra. Several Hollywood icons including Rob Reiner and Catherine O'Hara received tributes.
The Oscars 2026 In Memoriam segment drew attention for the exclusion of veteran Indian actor Dharmendra, causing disappointment among viewers, especially in India. The segment, presented at the ceremony in Los Angeles, paid tribute to several Hollywood legends but did not feature the Sholay actor.
Dharmendra, incidentally, was remembered in the In Memoriam segment of the 79th British Academy Film Awards in February 2026.
Dharmendra's omission was unexpected, given his longstanding contributions to Indian and popularity. Since his debut in the 1960s, he earned acclaim for his performances in films such as Sholay (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Phool Aur Patthar (1966) and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). His versatility bridged action, drama, and comedy, making him a household name.
In past years, the Oscars remembered Indian film icons like Nitin Chandrakant Desai, Irrfan, Bhanu Athaiya, Sridevi, and Shashi Kapoor in the In Memoriam segment.
While Dharmendra's absence was widely noted, the segment focused on celebrating prominent Hollywood artists who died in 2025. The montage was accompanied by subdued orchestral music, replacing the usual live performance, and highlighted the personal and professional impact of those honoured.
Throughout the tribute, specific individuals received special attention. Billy Crystal opened the segment with a heartfelt address to his late friend Rob Reiner, recognising Reiner’s versatility as a filmmaker behind works like This Is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men and Misery. Crystal made a poignant reference: "Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle," quoting the film The Princess Bride.
Sunil Grover's impeccable impersonation of Kader Khan on The Great Indian Kapil Show has earned him heartfelt praise from veteran actor Gajraj Rao, who praised him as the greatest behrupiya of our times.
The 2026 Oscars In Memoriam segment sparked disappointment among Indian cinema fans following the omission of legendary actor Dharmendra. Several Hollywood icons including Rob Reiner and Catherine O'Hara received tributes.
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