At the 98th Academy Awards, several international actors—including the legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra—were not honored with a tribute. Following this, his fans, as well as numerous celebrities, expressed their displeasure. His wife, Hema Malini, even issued a strong statement regarding the matter. Now, Rob Mills, an executive producer of the show, has offered a clarification on the entire episode, explaining the criteria used at the Oscars to determine which actors receive a posthumous tribute and which do not.

Who Makes the Decision?
In an interview with *Variety*, Rob Mills revealed that the decision regarding who will be honored at the awards ceremony is made by the 'Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS). In his statement, he noted, "Unfortunately, we lose many great personalities every year; consequently, the names of some individuals may inadvertently get left out."

What Did Hema Malini Say on the Matter?
Speaking to *Bollywood Hungama*, Hema Malini remarked, "It is truly a matter of shame. They overlooked an actor who, for countless people across many parts of the world, holds immense significance in numerous ways."

"Dharmendra was a globally recognized figure. Throughout his lifetime, he never received a great number of awards. Why, then, should he be concerned about the Oscars? Both of us have always been content with the love we received within our own country. Yet, awards always seemed to elude him. In fact, even I did not receive any awards for my performances in films like *Lal Patthar* and *Meera*."

Other Artists Whose Names Were Missing
Surprisingly, despite the extensive length of the 'In Memoriam' segment, several other prominent names—including Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot, and James Van Der Beek—were also left out and did not receive a tribute alongside Dharmendra.

When Did Dharmendra Pass Away?
It is worth noting that Dharmendra passed away on November 24 of last year. Numerous Bollywood artists attended his funeral to pay their final respects and offer their tributes.

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