Esha Deol, the daughter of the late legendary actor Dharmendra, has shared her thoughts after her father’s absence from the In Memoriam segment at the 98th Academy Awards. In an interview with Subhash K Jha for Variety India, Esha expressed that she believes her father’s legacy transcends such tributes.
She remarked that Dharmendra’s heart was always too expansive to be concerned with recognition. According to Esha, for him, life revolved around love and the impact he had on people’s lives rather than accolades. This heartfelt sentiment reflects the values Dharmendra cherished, emphasizing personal connections over public acknowledgment.
Hema Malini, Dharmendra’s wife, previously voiced similar sentiments in an interview with HT City. She stated that her husband was never one to be troubled by the lack of recognition. The love and appreciation he received from his fans were paramount, and she expressed gratitude for the affection he continues to receive posthumously. Hema also mentioned that she felt Dharmendra deserved to be acknowledged at the Oscars.
This year’s Oscars featured a tribute segment that lasted 15 minutes longer than in previous years. It honored Hollywood icons such as Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, and Robert Redford, yet notable names, including Dharmendra, were missing from the live broadcast.
Despite his absence from the televised tribute, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did include Dharmendra in their official online memorial, recognizing him alongside other Indian film figures, including Saroja Devi and Manoj Kumar.
The omission of Indian cinema stars from the Oscars’ tributes is not a new occurrence. In 2021, the late Dilip Kumar was also overlooked during this significant moment. Historically, while some Indian film personalities have been honored in the In Memoriam segments, such as Shashi Kapoor and Sridevi at the 90th Academy Awards, there have been notable gaps in recognition for others.
The discussion surrounding these omissions highlights larger themes of representation and acknowledgment within the film industry. As the Oscars continue to evolve, the reactions from movie legends’ families remind us of the impact of legacy and the importance of inclusion in celebrating cinematic history.