This has been an incredible year for Indians at the Oscars. M. M. Keeravani and Chandrabose won the Academy Award for their smash-hit ‘Naatu Naatu‘ in the Best Original Song category. In the Documentary Feature category, All That Breathes by Shaunak Sen was nominated, while in the Documentary Short Film category, The Elephant Whisperers ended up taking home the Oscar.
This wasn’t the first time that Indians took home the gold at the Academy Awards. Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Oscar when she took home the statuette for Best Costume Design for Gandhi in 1983. Satyajit Ray was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 1992 for a lifetime of contributions to filmmaking. In 2009, A.R. Rahman won two Oscars – for Best Original Song and Best Original Score – for his work on Slumdog Millionaire. Three Indian films have been nominated in the Best International Film category – Mother India, Salaam Bombay! and most recently, Lagaan.
The 2023 Oscars also saw Deepika Padukone make an appearance as a presenter who introduced the energetic and electrifying performance of ‘Naatu Naatu’ at the Dolby Theater.
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Apart from Padukone, Riz Ahmed, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh, Sigourney Weaver, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and Donnie Yen were the other presenters at the ceremony.
Given their history at the Academy Awards, there have been many Indian and Indian-origin celebrities who have graced the iconic Oscars red carpet over the years. So, let’s take a look at the most stylish Indian men to have graced the Oscars’ red carpet.
Indian and Indian-origin men who brought their fashion A-game to the Oscars red carpet
Ram Charan
RRR star Ram Charan looked absolutely dapper on the champagne carpet. He opted for an all-black Indian ensemble, wearing a classic black velvet Bandgala with trousers. He was accompanied on the champagne carpet by his wife Upasna Konidela, who wore a gorgeous cream-coloured saree that complemented the red carpet. The couple beautifully complemented each other.
Jr. NTR
Jr. NTR chose to pay homage to India through his outfit. Also opting for an Indian ensemble, Jr. NTR wore a jet-black Bandhgala that had a golden tiger embroidered on it. The tiger can be symbolic of two things – it’s India’s national animal and, for anyone who hasn’t seen RRR, it played a pivotal role in one of the most memorable scenes in the movie. So we can safely assume that Jr. NTR chose to pay tribute to both his nation and his film at the champagne carpet.
Dev Patel
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Dev Patel, the British actor of Indian origin, has attended the Oscars multiple times. He first attended the Oscars in 2009 as a cast member of Slumdog Millionaire, which swept the Oscars that year. In 2017, Patel was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lion and arrived on the red carpet wearing a white Burberry tuxedo jacket with black pants. He was accompanied by his mother, who wore a traditional Indian saree.
Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan
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In 2009, Anil Kapoor attended his first Oscars as a cast member of Slumdog Millionaire and arrived on the red carpet wearing a black tuxedo. Considered to be one of India’s best actors, Kapoor has starred in multiple Bollywood and Hollywood movies in his long career and has been lauded for his versatile acting skills.
Like Kapoor and Patel, the late Irrfan Khan was also part of Slumdog Millionaire. At the 2009 Oscars red carpet, he too opted for a classic black tuxedo. Irrfan, who was considered by many to be the greatest actor of his generation, has also appeared in Hollywood blockbusters like The Amazing Spider-Man and Life of Pi.
Aamir Khan
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Aamir Khan attended the 74th Academy Awards where his film Lagaan was nominated for Best Foreign Language film. Along with director Ashutosh Gowariker, the actor attended the red carpet and opted for a black sherwani with a dupatta. He has also been associated with movies that have been submitted to the Oscars in the past, including critically acclaimed movies like Taare Zameen Par and Rang De Basanti. Khan is considered to be one of the most talented and influential actors in Indian cinema.
A.R. Rahman
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A.R. Rahman won two Academy Awards for his work on Slumdog Millionaire. The musician attended the ceremony wearing an all-black Bandhgala, which was an ode to his Indian roots. He also went on to perform the song Jai Ho at the ceremony alongside singer-songwriter John Legend. Rahman has also been associated with other Hollywood movies like The Hundred-Foot Journey, Million Dollar Arm and Pele: Birth of a Legend. One of the most influential music composers in the world, Rahman has been a prominent figure in promoting Indian music globally and has even collaborated with several international artists over the years.
Oscars 2023 Nominations: ‘RRR’, 2 Indian-Made Documentaries Get Nominated
Other Asian men who have impressed us with their looks on the Oscars red carpet
Riz Ahmed
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Riz Ahmed, a British actor of Pakistani descent, has been a part of the Oscars red carpet on multiple occasions. In 2021, at the 93rd Academy Awards, he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Sound of Metal. On the Oscars red carpet, he wore a black Prada suit and shirt, along with a white pocket square and black leather shoes. Coming to the accessories, he also added a diamond-encrusted safety pin to his ensemble, which he wore as a symbol of solidarity with marginalised communities. His wife, novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza, accompanied him and was wearing a stunning blue gown. In 2022, Ahmed won an Oscar for the short film The Long Goodbye and went for an oversized maroon blazer and trousers along with a classic black t-shirt.
Simu Liu
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In 2022, Simu Liu attended his first Academy Awards ceremony. The actor opted for a cherry red suit by Versace, which was paired with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie that completed his entire look. The actor is best known for his role as Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Jackie Chan
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In 2016, Jackie Chan was awarded an Honorary Oscar for his extraordinary achievements in the film industry. The award was presented to him by actor Chris Tucker, his co-star in the Rush Hour movie franchise. Chan has appeared in several Hollywood movies, including Kung Fu Panda and The Karate Kid. He is known for his martial arts skills and for offering a unique blend of comedy and action in his movies. One of the most iconic figures in Asian cinema, Chan has been an ambassador for Chinese culture around the world.
Henry Golding
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At the 2019 Oscars, Henry Golding attended the ceremony looking absolutely dapper in a classic black tuxedo, flaunting a subtle and elegant red carpet look. Golding is known for his roles in Crazy Rich Asians, A Simple Favor, Last Christmas and The Gentlemen.
John Cho
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John Cho is a Korean American actor who has appeared in a variety of films and television shows. He first gained recognition for his role as Harold Lee in the Harold & Kumar films. At the 2020 Oscars, the actor stunned on the red carpet with an Ermenegildo Zegna suit in an attractive shade of brown, which was paired with a black shirt and shoes.
Song Kang-ho, Bong Joon-Ho and Lee Sun-Kyun
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At the 2020 Oscars, the men of Parasite’s cast, Song Kang-ho and Lee Sun-kyun, alongside director Bong Joon-Ho, were seen in classic tuxedos on the red carpet. 2020 was a special year at the Oscars as Parasite made history by becoming the first non-English language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Additionally, the film also won the Oscars for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film.
Steven Yeun
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Steven Yeun, an American actor of Korean descent, attended the 93rd Academy Awards as the Best Actor nominee for his role in Minari. He arrived on the red carpet wearing a black suit and was accompanied by his wife. Minari was nominated for several Oscars that year, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress (which it won). Although the actor did not win the Oscar, his nomination became a significant moment for Asian representation in Hollywood. Yeun is also known for his work on The Walking Dead.
(Hero and feature image credits: Courtesy Instagram/A R Rahman)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: As of March 2023, twelve Indians have won Oscars. These include Bhanu Athaiya, Resul Pookutty, M. M. Keeravani, Guneet Monga, Gulazar and A. R. Rahman.
Answer: A.R. Rahman has won two Oscars in India.
