New Delhi: From Bollywood’s dazzling divas to music maestros, Indian talents have lit up the Oscars red carpet and stage for decades, blending desi charm with global glamour.
These moments—presenters stealing the spotlight, winners clutching gold, and stars cheering historic wins—cement India’s rising Hollywood footprint. Here’s a festive roundup of celebs who graced or triumphed at the Academy Awards to date.
Pioneering wins at Oscars
Bhanu Athaiya made history as the first Indian Oscar winner for Best Costume Design for Gandhi at the 55th Academy Awards in 1983.
Slumdog Millionaire Glory (81st Oscars, 2009)
AR Rahman swept two awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”).
Anil Kapoor starred in the film, joining the celebratory red carpet buzz.
Red carpet royalty (83rd Oscars, 2011)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan turned heads with their elegant appearance, showcasing Bollywood elegance.
Presenter milestones
Priyanka Chopra debuted as a presenter at the 88th Oscars in 2016, handing out the Film Editing award alongside Hollywood icons.
Deepika Padukone followed suit at the 95th Oscars in 2023, the third Indian to present, joining stars like Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
RRR’s Naatu Naatu triumph (95th Oscars, 2023)
NTR and Ram Charan attended to celebrate their film’s Best Original Song win.
MM Keeravani accepted the award for the global hit, marking India’s first in this category.
Producer power (97th Oscars, 2025)
Guneet Monga won for Best Live Action Short Film (Anuja), adding to her Oscar tally and India’s proud legacy.
- Bhanu Athaiya Best Costume Design 1983
- Satyajit Ray Honorary Award 1992
- Resul Pookutty Best Sound Mixing 2009
- Gulzar Best Original Song 2009
- A R Rahman, Best Original Score and Best Original Song 2009
- Kartiki Gonsalves Best Documentary Short 2023
- MM Keeravani and Chandrabose Best Original Song 2023