The organisers of the 98th Academy Awards have responded to criticism surrounding this year’s In Memoriam segment, after several notable names, including veteran Indian actor Dharmendra, were left out of the televised tribute.
The segment, which aired during the ceremony in Los Angeles, drew disappointment from viewers who noted the absence of a number of prominent figures. Among those missing from the broadcast were Dharmendra as well as Hollywood actors such as Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek.
Addressing the backlash, Rob Mills, Executive Vice President of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, described the In Memoriam segment as one of the most challenging aspects of the broadcast. Speaking to Variety, he said the final selection is determined by the Academy and acknowledged that omissions are inevitable given the number of losses each year.
“It is always difficult, and there are always people who are left out,” Mills said, adding that the process becomes increasingly complex as more industry figures pass away annually. He also praised this year’s segment, calling it one of the strongest in the ceremony’s history.
During the broadcast, the tribute honoured several major Hollywood figures, including Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton, among others.
Reacting to Dharmendra’s omission, veteran actor Hema Malini expressed disappointment, calling it a “shame” that an artist of his stature had been overlooked despite his global recognition.
Following the criticism, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences updated its official website to include Dharmendra’s name, along with more than 300 film industry figures remembered over the past year, including Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek.
