Veteran actor Dharmendra’s absence from the In Memoriam segment at the Oscars has sparked discussion among fans and film lovers. Reacting to the development, Hema Malini expressed disappointment, calling the omission unfortunate while also suggesting that Dharmendra himself would not have been bothered by it.
According to Hema Malini, overlooking Dharmendra in such a tribute reflects poorly on the organisers rather than on the actor’s legacy. She noted that Dharmendra was widely recognised across different parts of the world and had built a reputation that extended far beyond awards and formal honours.
At the same time, she believes Dharmendra never attached much importance to awards during his career. Despite delivering several memorable performances over the decades, the legendary actor rarely received major honours during his lifetime. Hema Malini also reflected on her own experience, mentioning that even some of her most celebrated performances in films like Lal Patthar and Meera did not earn the recognition she felt they deserved.
Sunny Deol had previously spoken about the family’s complicated relationship with awards. In an earlier conversation, he remarked that recognition from award ceremonies had never been consistent for him either. Films like Gadar, Ghatak, and Border, which became hugely popular with audiences, did not receive the kind of awards many expected. Sunny added that although he received a special jury award for Ghayal, he believed some of his other performances were equally deserving.
He also pointed out that Dharmendra himself had often been overlooked despite delivering powerful performances in acclaimed films such as Satyakam, Anupama, and Chupke Chupke. For Sunny, that history of being ignored made awards feel less important in the larger context of an actor’s journey.
While the Oscars tribute may have missed Dharmendra’s name, his influence on Indian cinema and the love he continues to receive from audiences remain undeniable.