The 98th Academy Awards on 15 March 2026 in Los Angeles featured a notable presence of Indian and Indian-origin talent, despite no India-backed film receiving final nominations. South Asian creators left their mark on key moments, and designers made a strong impact on the red carpet.
A standout moment was filmmaker Alexandre Singh winning Best Live-Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva, co-directed with Natalie Musteata, in a rare tie with Sam A Davis’ The Singers. Born in Bordeaux to Indian-origin parents, Singh is known for blending visual art, theatre, and cinema in his work.
Documentary filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir stood out with two nominations in the same year, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas returned to the Oscars stage as a presenter alongside Javier Bardem, nearly a decade after her 2016 appearance. Actors including Charithra Chandran and Kumail Nanjiani were also present, with Simone Ashley and Mindy Kaling attending the after-party. Industry figures such as Bela Bajaria, along with Anand Piramal and Isha Ambani, were among the notable attendees.
Indian designers shine bright
Indian fashion made a striking mark on the Oscars red carpet, with jewellery and ensembles by top designers shining at the Oscars.
Li Jun Li stunned in a sculpted red satin corset and draped skirt by Gaurav Gupta, while Rei Ami wore a black-and-gold embellished mini dress with an embroidered cape by Rahul Mishra. Several Hollywood stars chose jewellery by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, including Ginnifer Goodwin’s emerald choker and Rachel McAdams’ morganite-and-diamond earrings.
Journalist Zanna Roberts Rassi dazzled in a beaded ikat-inspired crop top by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, while stylist Law Roach accessorised with a bespoke Swadesh brooch. Tamron Hall wore a subtle white gown by India-born Bibhu Mohapatra.
Indian influence extended to after-parties: Maggie Kang wore a custom Rimzim Dadu ruby metal corset gown, Isha Ambani sported a Swadesh gown blending Benarasi brocade with gothic corsetry, and Bela Bajaria chose a black Manish Malhotra sari. Priyanka Chopra Jonas added feathered detailing to her red carpet look, highlighting Indian embellishment as a defining motif of the evening.
‘One Battle After Another’ wins best picture at 98th Oscars
At the 98th Oscars, One Battle After Another won Best Picture and five other awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. Andy Jurgensen took home Best Film Editing, and Cassandra Kulukundis won the inaugural Best Casting award.
Sinners won four Oscars, with Michael B. Jordan as Best Actor, Ryan Coogler for Best Original Screenplay, Ludwig Göransson for Best Original Score, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw as the first woman to win Best Cinematography.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress (Hamnet), Amy Madigan Best Supporting Actress (Weapons), and KPop Demon Hunters took Best Animated Feature, with its song “Golden” becoming the first K-pop track to win Best Original Song. Frankenstein claimed three technical awards, while Sentimental Value won Best International Feature and Mr. Nobody Against Putin Best Documentary. A rare tie occurred in the Live-Action Short category, with live performances of “Golden” and “I Lied to You.”
Tributes were paid to stars who passed away in the past year, including Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara, though Indian actor Dharmendra was notably absent.
