The 98th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 (local time), where One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner with six awards, followed by Sinners with four. While the night celebrated cinematic achievements, one segment that drew significant attention—as it does every year—was the “In Memoriam” tribute. This time, however, it sparked debate after veteran Indian actor Dharmendra was not seen in the televised montage.
Dharmendra and others honoured online
As the ceremony paid tribute to several global icons, including Rob Reiner and Robert Redford, fans in India quickly noticed Dharmendra’s absence from the on-air segment. The omission led to backlash online, with many pointing out that Indian legends like Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor had been honoured in previous years.
However, it was later clarified that Dharmendra was indeed included in the Academy’s extended “In Memoriam” list प्रकाशित on its official website. The digital tribute featured several Indian cinema personalities, including Manoj Kumar, B. Saroja Devi, Kota Srinivasa Rao, and S. Krishnaswamy.
Legacy and final appearance
Dharmendra passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a remarkable legacy spanning decades in Indian cinema. His final on-screen appearance was in the posthumous release Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan.
Ceremony highlights
The star-studded evening was hosted by Conan O’Brien, with presenters including Priyanka Chopra, Anne Hathaway, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson, among others.