The Academy Awards makers recently reacted to the controversy surrounding its In Memoriam segment, facing criticism for excluding several prominent names, including veteran star Dharmendra. Amid the growing backlash, broadcast executive Rob Mills, who oversees the broadcast, addressed the criticism and defended the segment, calling it one of the most complex and challenging parts of putting together the show.

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Oscar producers react to In Memoriam’s omission

during an interview with DiversityRob Mills defends the decision to remove some names in Memoriam segment during the Academy Awards telecast.

“I think it’s probably the hardest thing they do. It’s always hard when they’re villainized for it. Yes, there are always people who are left out. Unfortunately, we’re losing more and more people, and especially, we’re losing great people every year, so it’s probably the hardest thing to thread the needle. I think what they did last night might be the best in memoriam in Oscar history,” he said.

He further said that conceptualizing this segment is always a big task.

Mills also explained what went into planning the entire segment. “Robert Redford passed away first, and then when Diane Keaton passed away, and those are two monumental legends — it’s in the fall. Now, with the show we also had the advantage that the producers were already in place before last year’s show, so you can start planning it now. In memoriam really needs to be done when you lose people like that — these are famous names to lose,” he said.

“And then obviously the tragedy with Rob and Michelle Renner was so terrible. When that happened, I think that’s when they really started to think, ‘Okay, how is this going to shape up? What are we going to do?’… I think it’s a great job (Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan) did this moment beautifully.”

The Academy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Sunday night left many viewers disappointed when veteran actors, including Dharmendra, were absent from the extended In Memoriam segment during the live telecast.

What was Hema Malini’s reaction?

talking to Bollywood HungamaHema expressed her disappointment at being left out of the Oscar telecast.

He said, “It’s definitely a shame. It’s a shame for them to ignore an actor who meant so much to so many people in so many parts of the world. Dharamji was known and recognized everywhere.”

However, Hema said that Dharmendra himself would not have been bothered by the insult, adding that awards have never been a defining aspect of his long career.

On the other hand, in conversation with Variety IndiaEsha Deol also reacted to the snub and said, “I don’t think it will ever make any difference to papa. His heart has always been too big to worry about such things. For him, life was never about recognition or status – it was about love, kindness and his place in people’s hearts.”

During the live telecast, the Academy paid tribute to several late international film personalities, including Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Redford, Udo Kier, Rob Reiner, Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman and Val Kilmer.