The High Price of Forgetting
Every year, the Academy Awards tries to balance the glitz of the future with the solemnity of the past. The In Memoriam segment is supposed to be a moment of collective mourning, a bridge between the silver screen and the legacy left behind. But at the 2026 Oscars, that bridge felt shorter than ever. While host Conan O'Brien and various presenters spoke about the beauty of international collaboration, the glaring omission of legendary Indian actor Dharmendra proved that Hollywood's memory is still stubbornly localized.
A Legacy Ignored
Dharmendra passed away in November last year, leaving behind a filmography that spanned decades and defined a massive part of global cinema. To fans across the world, he was more than just a star; he was an institution. Yet, when the lights dimmed for the tribute, his face was nowhere to be found. This isn't just a minor oversight. It is a recurring symptom of a deeper bias within the Academy's selection committee.
Who Decides Who Matters?
How does a committee decide who is worthy of a few seconds of screen time? Usually, the criteria involve a combination of fame, contribution to the craft, and, quite frankly, how much they were known in the United States. This is where the bias creeps in. In a year where the red carpet was filled with political statements and calls for global unity, the failure to recognize a titan of world cinema feels particularly hypocritical.
We see stars wearing pins for peace and making speeches about human rights, but when it comes to the simple act of remembering an international icon, the curtains close. If the Oscars want to be the premier global stage for film, they cannot continue to treat non-Western legends as footnotes or, worse, entirely forgettable.
The Fame Filter
Fame is often viewed through a Western lens. We are told film is a universal language, but the Oscars often act like they only speak English. The snubbing of Dharmendra left a bitter taste for millions of fans on social media, reminding us that for all the talk of progress, the Academy still has a gated community mindset.
Memory is a choice. By choosing to exclude certain names, the ceremony tells us whose history counts and whose legacy is expendable. It is time the In Memoriam segment reflects the true, global map of cinema rather than just the streets of Los Angeles.
Why It Matters
When we lose a star, we lose a piece of our shared cultural history. The Oscars have the platform to honor that history in its entirety. Until they fix their internal biases and broaden their perspective, their tributes will continue to feel incomplete. We don't just need better movies; we need better memories.
