Esha Deol Responds After Oscars 2026 Leaves Out Dharmendra From In Memoriam Segment

| Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 10:22 [IST]

The 98th Academy Awards have sparked a wave of reactions among fans of Indian cinema after legendary actor Dharmendra was not included in the televised In Memoriam segment. While the moment is meant to honour icons who passed away in the past year, many viewers noticed that the beloved Bollywood superstar’s name did not appear during the broadcast.

Amid the online debate, Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol has now shared her thoughts, offering a calm and heartfelt perspective. According to her, recognition and awards were never what defined the legendary actor’s life or career.

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Esha Deol Shares Emotional Reaction

Responding to the controversy in a conversation with Variety India, Esha Deol said the omission would not have bothered her father. She explained that Dharmendra always valued love and humanity more than public recognition.

According to Esha, her father’s generous spirit made him someone who never measured his legacy through awards or accolades. Instead, what mattered most to him was the affection he received from fans and the relationships he built throughout his life.

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“Life Was Never About Recognition For Him”

Speaking candidly about her father’s outlook, Esha noted that Dharmendra’s personality was defined by kindness and humility. She shared that he believed true success lay in the love and respect people carried for him in their hearts.

Her words reflected the enduring image of Dharmendra as not just a superstar, but also a deeply compassionate individual whose impact went far beyond cinema.

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Hema Malini Calls The Omission Unfortunate

Earlier, Hema Malini also reacted to the situation and described the absence as disappointing. In an interview, the veteran actress and politician said Dharmendra was admired by audiences across the world and deserved recognition on such a global platform.

However, she also acknowledged that Dharmendra himself was never someone who chased awards. For him, the overwhelming love from fans always meant more than trophies or international accolades.

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Oscars 2026 In Memoriam Segment Sparks Debate

This year’s In Memoriam tribute at the Oscars ran longer than usual, lasting nearly 15 minutes and honouring several global film personalities. Hollywood legends including Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall were among those remembered during the ceremony.

Despite the extended segment, viewers pointed out that several notable figures from international cinema, including Dharmendra, were missing from the televised montage.

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Dharmendra Included In Official Academy Tribute List

While the actor did not appear in the broadcast segment, reports confirmed that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) did acknowledge him on its official website. Dharmendra was listed alongside other notable Indian personalities such as B. Saroja Devi, Manoj Kumar, Jayasree Kabir, Kota Srinivasa Rao and documentary filmmaker S. Krishnaswamy.

The discussion surrounding the tribute has once again highlighted Dharmendra’s lasting influence on Indian cinema. Even decades after his iconic performances, the legendary actor continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans around the world.

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