The 98th Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, delivered a night of cinematic triumphs while also honouring cinematic legends in the In Memoriam section. The ceremony paid tribute to several icons of world cinema on Monday morning, but veteran Indian star Dharmendra was absent from the televised segment despite being officially acknowledged by the Academy. His wife, Hema Malini, has now reacted to the snub.

Hema Malini on Dharmendra’s Oscar snub

The legendary Bollywood actor, who passed away in November 2025 at the age of 89, was included in the Academy's official online In Memoriam list released on the day of the ceremony. Meanwhile, the broadcast tribute honoured several well-known names from the global film industry, including Robert Redford, Rob Reiner, Robert Duvall, Catherine O'Hara, and Diane Keaton.