Dharmendra Left Out Of Oscars 2026 ‘In Memoriam’ Segment, Angry Fans Say “Just A Hollywood Show, Not Truly International”
Bollywood legend Dharmendra was a shock omission from the Oscars 2026 'In Memoriam' segment. Fans slammed the 98th Academy Awards for the snub.
The 98th Academy Awards, held on Sunday night in Los Angeles, celebrated the pinnacle of cinematic achievement from the past year. However, the glitzy ceremony has sparked a wave of outrage among Indian film enthusiasts and industry followers. Despite featuring the longest ‘In Memoriam’ segment in the history of the awards, the Academy failed to pay tribute to the legendary Indian megastar Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025 at the age of 89.
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The omission came as a shock to many, especially given the Academy's recent efforts to position itself as a more inclusive and international body. In past years, Indian icons like Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor were featured in the tribute, leading many to expect that Dharmendra’s four-decade-long career – spanning over 300 films – would be recognised. Instead, the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema was notably absent from the montage, prompting a swift and fiery backlash on social media.
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Indian fans were quick to voice their displeasure, with many pointing out the irony of the Academy's international branding. One frustrated viewer noted on social media that while the Oscars claim to represent global cinema, the exclusion of a legendary figure like Dharmendra suggests it remains “mainly a Hollywood show”. Others questioned why there is so much hype surrounding the awards in India when domestic icons fail to receive even a fleeting mention.
Check out some of the reactions here:
A legend like Dharmendra deserved a place in the Oscars tribute. Sad that our icons are ignored while we keep hearing that India’s global image is soaring.
— Supriya hansda (@Supriya86737288) March 16, 2026
DHARMENDRA DEOL is Bigger than OSCARS.
— बाबा निराला (@desmond9038) March 16, 2026
#Oscars or just a Hollywood PR show? 🤡🎭 Disgraceful to snub Bollywood legend Dharmendra in the 'In Memoriam' tribute after 60 years of cinema. 💔 Stop using Priyanka for clout if you can’t respect our icons. Not truly international! 😤 #Oscars2026 #Oscars2026 @TheAcademy
— Alok (@Alok22897) March 16, 2026
The “In Memoriam” segment at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) paid tribute to many film personalities.
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) March 16, 2026
But Dharmendra, one of India’s most iconic actors who died in Nov 2025, wasn’t included.
And we’re told “videsh mein danka baj raha hai.”
World has started isolating… pic.twitter.com/C5JCq5Og9j
The snub was particularly jarring when contrasted with the 79th BAFTA Awards held earlier this year in London. The British Academy did honour Dharmendra’s legacy, making him the only Indian actor to be featured in their ‘In Memoriam’ featurette, despite the passing of other notable Indian figures like Manoj Kumar, Asrani, and Satish Shah in the same year.
This year’s Oscar segment took a different approach, moving away from a simple video reel to a more personalised tribute format involving live stage honours. Highlights included Billy Crystal honouring director Rob Reiner – the visionary behind ‘When Harry Met Sally’ – and Barbra Streisand delivering a touching speech for her ‘The Way We Were’ co-star Robert Redford. Streisand described Redford as a “brilliant, subtle actor” and an “intellectual cowboy” before singing a few lines from the movie's title song. Other figures remembered during the ceremony included Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Udo Kier, Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman, and Val Kilmer.
However, Dharmendra was not the only significant name missing from the tribute. The segment also overlooked several Western stars, including James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Robert Carradine, and June Lockhart, as well as the iconic French actor Brigitte Bardot.
Dharmendra’s career was nothing short of monumental. Known for his versatility, he starred in seminal works such as ‘Bandini’ (1963), ‘Haqeeqat’ (1964), ‘Anupama’ (1966), and the cult classic ‘Sholay’ (1975). His filmography includes a vast array of hits like ‘Satyakam’, ‘Mera Naam Joker’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, and ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’. Even in his later years, he remained a force in the industry with films like ‘Life in a… Metro’, ‘Apne’, and the 2023 hit ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. His final film, ‘Ikkis’, was released in early 2026, just weeks after his demise.
While Dharmendra was missing from the screen, India still had a notable presence at the 98th Academy Awards. Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandhbhir made history as the first woman to be nominated simultaneously in both Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short for ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ and ‘The Devil Is Busy’. Additionally, Priyanka Chopra served as a presenter during the evening.
The ‘In Memoriam’ segment is often the most scrutinised part of the Oscars, but for Indian fans, the 2026 ceremony will likely be remembered for the tribute that never happened.
