At the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) held in Los Angeles, the In Memoriam segment paid tribute to legendary artists from around the world who contributed to cinema. Alongside Hollywood icons, the Academy also acknowledged stalwarts of Indian cinema, including Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, B. Saroja Devi, and Kota Srinivasa Rao, featuring their names and photographs on the official Oscars website’s extended memorial list.
The ceremony began with a video tribute to Hollywood personalities who passed away last year, accompanied by heartfelt speeches recalling their memories. However, fans expressed disappointment on social media when Dharmendra was not included in the video montage. Reports clarified that due to time constraints, only a few names were shown in the video, while the extended list on the website carried the complete set of honorees.
Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, remembered for his powerful performances in South Indian cinema and notable Hindi films like Sarkar (with Amitabh Bachchan and Ram Gopal Varma), passed away in July 2025 at the age of 83. His inclusion in the Oscars memorial segment stands as a mark of respect for his immense contribution to Indian cinema.
