Entertainment / The Biggest South Asian Moments At The 2026 Oscars

The Biggest South Asian Moments At The 2026 Oscars

Entertainment Mar 16, 2026

by Team ANOKHI LIFE

Hollywood’s biggest night returned in full glamour and cinematic celebration as the 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles last night, honouring the most outstanding achievements in global filmmaking. The 2026 Oscars delivered a mix of historic wins, emotional speeches, and standout storytelling, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary cinema.

The night’s biggest triumph belonged to One Battle After Another, which dominated the ceremony by winning Best Picture and multiple additional awards including Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson and Best Adapted Screenplay. Meanwhile, Sinners emerged as another major force of the evening, earning Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan along with accolades for Original Screenplay, Original Score, and Cinematography. Jessie Buckley secured the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Hamnet, while Amy Madigan and Sean Penn took home the supporting acting honours for Weapons and One Battle After Another, respectively.

Beyond the awards themselves, the Oscars red carpet once again became a global cultural moment. This year saw a notable presence of South Asian talent, entrepreneurs, and creators attending the ceremony and surrounding celebrations—from actors and filmmakers to influential cultural figures shaping conversations across industries. Their presence highlighted the growing visibility of South Asian voices within the global entertainment ecosystem, both on and off the screen.

Here are the South Asian personalities who brought star power, style, and significant milestones to the 2026 Academy Awards.

Oscar 2026 Winners & Nominees

Alenxdre Singh

Indian-origin writer and filmmaker Alexandre Singh was among the winners at the 2026 Oscars. Singh co-wrote and co-directed the French-language short film Two People Exchanging Saliva with filmmaker Natalie Musteata, which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

In a rare moment during the ceremony, the category ended in a tie, with Singh’s film sharing the honour with The Singers. The win brought international attention to Singh and his distinctive storytelling approach.

Geeta Gandbhir

Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir made Oscars history this year by becoming the first woman nominated in both the Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short categories in the same year. Her films The Perfect Neighbor and The Devil Is Busy earned nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards, marking a major milestone for South Asian representation in documentary filmmaking.

Gandbhir is widely known for her powerful, socially driven storytelling across film and television. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with major platforms including Netflix and HBO, earning critical acclaim for documentaries that explore justice, identity, and human resilience. Her historic nominations this year further spotlight the growing influence of South Asian creatives shaping global nonfiction cinema.

Oscar 2026 Presenters

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, one of the most recognizable South Asian actors working internationally today, returned to the Academy Awards stage at the 2026 Oscars.

For the ceremony, she wore a striking white Dior gown featuring a sculpted bodice, diagonal draping through the waist, and a dramatic feather-trimmed slit. During the ceremony, Chopra Jonas appeared on stage alongside Javier Bardem to present the Best International Feature Film award, which went to Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier and starring Stellan Skarsgård.

Kumail Nanjani

Pakistani-American actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani also took part in the 2026 Academy Awards as a presenter. Best known for his Oscar-nominated screenplay for The Big Sick and for roles in projects such as Marvel’s Eternals and the television series Silicon Valley, Nanjiani has become one of the most visible South Asian actors in mainstream Hollywood.

During the ceremony, he presented the Best Live Action Short Film category. The moment turned memorable when the category resulted in a rare tie, with the award shared by Two People Exchanging Saliva, co-directed by Indian-origin filmmaker Alexandre Singh, and The Singers. Nanjiani announced the historic tie on stage, marking one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.

Attending Celebrities

Bela Bajaria

Entertainment industry powerhouse Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, attended the Oscars in a striking Manish Malhotra saree, blending Indian couture with Hollywood glamour. Bajaria is widely recognized as one of the most influential executives in global entertainment, overseeing Netflix’s vast content slate and helping shape some of the streaming platform’s biggest international productions.

Her beauty look featured makeup by Kristen Bell and hair styled by Marva Stokes, while the jewellery she wore was from her personal collection. Bajaria’s appearance in traditional Indian attire on Hollywood’s biggest red carpet was a powerful visual moment celebrating South Asian representation within the global entertainment industry.

Charithra Chandran

British-Indian actor Charithra Chandran was also among the South Asian celebrities attending the 2026 Oscars. Chandran rose to international fame for her role as Edwina Sharma in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton and has since emerged as one of the most promising young actors of South Asian heritage working in global entertainment.

For the ceremony, she worked with stylist Holly White, with assistance from Eoin Higgins, while her beauty look was created by hairstylist Clara Leonard and makeup artist Kenneth Soh. Chandran also received skincare preparation from renowned facialist Joanna Czech and accessorized her Oscars look with jewellery by Chopard, completing a refined red-carpet appearance.

Isha Ambani

Business leader and philanthropist Isha Ambani, daughter of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, also attended the 2026 Academy Awards with her husband Anand Piramal. Ambani has become a prominent figure in global business and cultural circles through her work expanding Reliance’s retail and digital ventures.

For the Oscars, she wore a vintage Maison Valentino ensemble, paired with jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz. Her look was styled by Jamie Mizrahi, with styling assistance from Esha Gupta, while makeup was created by Ash K Holm. Ambani’s appearance added another layer of South Asian presence to the high-profile international event.

Designers On The Red Carpet

South Asian creativity was also visible through fashion on the Oscars red carpet.

Actor Li Jun Li, who appeared in the film Sinners, wore Gaurav Gupta Couture—specifically the sculptural red satin look titled “Inner Flame,” featuring a corseted top with fluid architectural draping and a high-slit skirt from Gupta’s The Divine Androgyne Spring/Summer 2026 couture collection.

Meanwhile, musician Rei Ami, whose project K-Pop Demon Hunters won an Oscar, walked the red carpet in Rahul Mishra Couture, showcasing handcrafted Indian design on one of the world’s most visible fashion stages.

From historic nominations and Oscar wins to powerful red-carpet style and influential industry presence, the 2026 Academy Awards highlighted the growing impact of South Asian talent across the global entertainment landscape.

Whether on stage presenting awards, behind the camera telling important stories, or bringing cultural elegance to the red carpet, these moments reflected how South Asian creatives continue to shape Hollywood’s biggest night—proving that representation is not only visible, but increasingly influential.

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