Esha Deol reacts after dad Dharmendra is left out of the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment

Esha Deol reacts after dad Dharmendra is left out of the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment

• Dharmendra omitted from Oscars 2026 televised In Memoriam segment
• Esha Deol and Hema Malini say Dharmendra unfazed by omission
• Dharmendra was included in the Oscars online tribute list

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The absence of veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra from the televised segment of the ‘In Memoriam’ segment during the 2026 Oscars ceremony resulted in a sense of disappointment among Indian moviegoers, and the actor’s daughter, Esha Deol, has now expressed her views on the matter.

The annual segment, which honors movie personalities who left us during the year, resulted in a controversy as the veteran actor’s name did not appear during the live show. However, it was later revealed that the legendary actor was included in the online list of the segment, which also included other movie personalities from across the globe.

In a conversation with Variety India, Esha Deol said, "I don’t think it would ever make a difference to Papa. His heart has always been far too big to worry about such things. For him, life was never about recognition or status—it was about love, kindness, and the place he held in people’s hearts."

This came shortly after a feeling of disappointment had been expressed by actress Hema Malini, saying that it was unfortunate that a star of such stature as Dharmendra hadn’t been included in the tribute that was televised. This incident sparked a flurry of reactions from people online, with some expressing disappointment that there hadn’t been a representation from Indian cinema at such international events as the Oscars.

Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Hema expressed her disappointment over the Oscars broadcast leaving him out. “It is a shame, of course. A shame for them to have overlooked an actor who means so many things to so many people in many parts of the world. Dharamji was known and recognised everywhere,” she said.

She added that Dharmendra himself would likely not have been bothered by the omission. She said, “He never got too many awards during his lifetime. Why should he care about the Oscars? Both of us were happy to be loved in our country. But awards always eluded him. Even I didn’t get any award for my best performances in Lal Patthar and Meera.”

Also read: Hema Malini on Dharmendra being snubbed from In Memoriam at Oscars 2026: 'Its shame but why should he care about the Oscars?'

Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025, was one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated actors, with a career spanning over six decades. Known for iconic films and his enduring screen presence, he remains a beloved figure across generations.